God is lovable. By that I don't mean that He is irresistibly cute and cuddly like a newborn cocker spaniel. God is lovable in the sense that loving Him is doable and desirable.
I'm basing this claim on what is known as the "Great Commandment".
Jesus was approached by an expert in religious law who tested Him with this question*:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."
God only expects the possible from His children. We are commanded to love the Lord with our whole being. But I have to get real here. Do I fall short of the whole-heart, entire-soul, and undivided-mind standard of love? Are there attachments to and affections for things that block radical (to the root) love for God? If my answer is "yes", where can I go to have a mystical angioplasty performed to clear my blocked spiritual arteries? That place of cleansing and restoration is on my knees, confessing my sins at the foot of the cross of Jesus. The Lord blasts the blockages and I see Him and His amazing love. How else can I respond but to love Him in return?
God is lovable. Loving Him becomes almost unavoidable and ultimately desirable when we contemplate the Father, revealed in the face of His divine Son, illuminated by the Spirit.
*Matthew 22
Friday, September 17, 2004
Thursday, September 09, 2004
It's A Mystery To Me
The word "mystery" brings to mind unsolved crimes and movie thrillers. Did you ever wonder what "mystery" means in the context of our faith in God? My MS Word dictionary offers this definition: a Christian belief or truth that is considered to be beyond human understanding and can be made known only by divine revelation. Something unknowable is made known -- though through a glass darkly on this side of eternity.
The NIV translation shows the word "mystery" or "mysteries" 32 times in the Bible as in "the mystery of his will" and "the mystery of Christ". In Col. 2:2 St. Paul comes flat out and identifies "the mystery of God". He writes, "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ." God Himself is the ultimate Truth beyond human understanding Who is made known by Divine Revelation -- also known as Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh. In the opening passages of his gospel, St. John teaches, "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only [Christ], who is at the Father's side, has made him known."
The NIV translation shows the word "mystery" or "mysteries" 32 times in the Bible as in "the mystery of his will" and "the mystery of Christ". In Col. 2:2 St. Paul comes flat out and identifies "the mystery of God". He writes, "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ." God Himself is the ultimate Truth beyond human understanding Who is made known by Divine Revelation -- also known as Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh. In the opening passages of his gospel, St. John teaches, "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only [Christ], who is at the Father's side, has made him known."
Monday, July 26, 2004
Opting for Despair
We long for God but don't believe He exists. We're under water, running out of air, but don't swim to the top. To do so would be to admit that air is.
Yes, we long for that which we do not believe exists. For the loss of childlike faith we embrace a loneliness that leads to despair.
Or, we assent to the existence of God but do not believe He has the ability or the desire to involve Himself in our lives. So we accommodate an unnecessary vacuum in our souls.
Or we can choose to breath deeply of the breath of God.
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 29)
Yes, we long for that which we do not believe exists. For the loss of childlike faith we embrace a loneliness that leads to despair.
Or, we assent to the existence of God but do not believe He has the ability or the desire to involve Himself in our lives. So we accommodate an unnecessary vacuum in our souls.
Or we can choose to breath deeply of the breath of God.
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 29)
Thursday, April 15, 2004
The Passion and The Praises of The Christ
Given all the discussion that preceded the release of "The Passion of The Christ" I knew that experiencing Mel Gibson's extraordinarily graphic and poignantly loving portrayal would provide fodder for new insight into a great many areas of life. One of those areas that is of great interest to me as a church musician is worship. The Apostle Paul provides an unambiguous reference to the Passion in his teaching on worship.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual [or reasonable] act of worship." (Romans 12:1)
Standing at the foot of the cross of Christ provides the most excellent "view of God's mercy". We would do well to linger there, surveying the wondrous cross, looking into the face of our Savior, the very face of Mercy. Jesus' crucifixion also presents a striking picture of what it truly means "to offer our bodies as living sacrifices". That's explicitly what He did. God the Son's self-offering to the Father on our behalf was and is, throughout all eternity, the supreme "act of worship".
What is a disciple of Christ to do but follow in the Masterís footsteps, imitating His example. "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Hebrews 13:15,16) Here we have both the vertical (God-ward) and horizontal (man-ward) application of this call to worship ... to relinquish all that we are and have to God. United with Jesus, our unceasing song of surrender is, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual [or reasonable] act of worship." (Romans 12:1)
Standing at the foot of the cross of Christ provides the most excellent "view of God's mercy". We would do well to linger there, surveying the wondrous cross, looking into the face of our Savior, the very face of Mercy. Jesus' crucifixion also presents a striking picture of what it truly means "to offer our bodies as living sacrifices". That's explicitly what He did. God the Son's self-offering to the Father on our behalf was and is, throughout all eternity, the supreme "act of worship".
What is a disciple of Christ to do but follow in the Masterís footsteps, imitating His example. "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Hebrews 13:15,16) Here we have both the vertical (God-ward) and horizontal (man-ward) application of this call to worship ... to relinquish all that we are and have to God. United with Jesus, our unceasing song of surrender is, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
Thursday, March 04, 2004
My Alarm At "The Passion of The Christ"
My $20 digital watch from CVS has more features packed into it than I really require. One of them is an alarm that was arbitrarily set to 1:30 PM. Last week I changed it to 3:00 PM after reading about "The Hour of Mercy" referring to the time of Jesus' death. Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska was a Polish nun who was endowed with many spiritual gifts. Her walk with the Lord was so extraordinary that her superiors charged her to record her thoughts and experiences in a diary - something that she wasn't keen on but did out of obedience. She recorded this word from the Lord: "At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion. I remind you, My daughter, that as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul."
After much anticipation, Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of The Christ" finally arrived at the local theatre. I was planning on attending the late Saturday night show but scheduling conflicts with my kids put us into the cinema on Sunday afternoon for the one o'clock matinee. I watched intently as the drama of the ultimate sacrifice was being played out before my eyes: "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7) Then, when the film was drawing close to the end, at the climax of Jesus' suffering on the cross, I hear the familiar "beep - beep - beep - beep - beep - beep". The alarm on my cheap watch was reminding me to pray God's mercy for the lost and immerse myself in His Passion -- an immersion that was being experienced by all of us in that theatre.
How do you sustain, throughout the rest of your life, gratitude and reverence for the Lord's self-offering to the Father on our behalf? One little way is to daily turn our eyes upon Jesus, the author and finisher of faith "who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Observing 3:00 PM as "The Hour of Mercy" by lifting up your heart in grateful praise to the Lord and His astounding mercy is a beautiful way to reverse the slavery of the clock to serve a high and holy purpose.
After much anticipation, Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of The Christ" finally arrived at the local theatre. I was planning on attending the late Saturday night show but scheduling conflicts with my kids put us into the cinema on Sunday afternoon for the one o'clock matinee. I watched intently as the drama of the ultimate sacrifice was being played out before my eyes: "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7) Then, when the film was drawing close to the end, at the climax of Jesus' suffering on the cross, I hear the familiar "beep - beep - beep - beep - beep - beep". The alarm on my cheap watch was reminding me to pray God's mercy for the lost and immerse myself in His Passion -- an immersion that was being experienced by all of us in that theatre.
How do you sustain, throughout the rest of your life, gratitude and reverence for the Lord's self-offering to the Father on our behalf? One little way is to daily turn our eyes upon Jesus, the author and finisher of faith "who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Observing 3:00 PM as "The Hour of Mercy" by lifting up your heart in grateful praise to the Lord and His astounding mercy is a beautiful way to reverse the slavery of the clock to serve a high and holy purpose.
Monday, February 16, 2004
Nicolas' Walker
Nicolas' Walker
By Angelo Natalie
January 15, 2004
At the time of this writing, my grandson, Nicolas Angelo Natalie, is nine months old. When his mom Kristin dropped him off at our home this morning she also left his ìfavoriteî baby walker (one of three). Nicolange, as I call him secretly (though I guess I just blew that) crawled up to the walker, pulled himself up and va-voom ñ off he went! He was so proud of himself with his big grin, two little teeth and a drooling chin. Instinctively, I followed behind to help him steer and act as the designated baby-catcher. As can be expected of a nine month old, he pushes that thing right into walls. He doesnít have the navigation skills down yet but he sure can make that thing move.
I imagine that God sees me the way I see Nicolas: in need of direction and somebody to be there when I fall. God leads and empowers but he doesn't force me to move. Whether I am paralyzed by anxiety or insecurity, sometimes I just sit there and look at my walker. If I put my hands to the task, I might hit a brick wall. I might fail. I might fall and look like an idiot. But my Father (who is grand) says, "Trust Me from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for My voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; I am the one who will keep you on track." (cf. The Message, Proverbs 3:5,6)
Move. Trust. Exalt. OK. Here I go.
By Angelo Natalie
January 15, 2004
At the time of this writing, my grandson, Nicolas Angelo Natalie, is nine months old. When his mom Kristin dropped him off at our home this morning she also left his ìfavoriteî baby walker (one of three). Nicolange, as I call him secretly (though I guess I just blew that) crawled up to the walker, pulled himself up and va-voom ñ off he went! He was so proud of himself with his big grin, two little teeth and a drooling chin. Instinctively, I followed behind to help him steer and act as the designated baby-catcher. As can be expected of a nine month old, he pushes that thing right into walls. He doesnít have the navigation skills down yet but he sure can make that thing move.
I imagine that God sees me the way I see Nicolas: in need of direction and somebody to be there when I fall. God leads and empowers but he doesn't force me to move. Whether I am paralyzed by anxiety or insecurity, sometimes I just sit there and look at my walker. If I put my hands to the task, I might hit a brick wall. I might fail. I might fall and look like an idiot. But my Father (who is grand) says, "Trust Me from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for My voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; I am the one who will keep you on track." (cf. The Message, Proverbs 3:5,6)
Move. Trust. Exalt. OK. Here I go.
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