The earth grabbed me firmly right around the chest and held me like it didn’t want to let go. I was stuck in a hole right near the end of the Wild Cave Tour offered at Mammoth Cave National Park. A Ranger led our small group as we crawled, wriggled, slithered, scraped and shimmied through the natural underground labyrinth. All morning long, we nudged in and out of some very tight spaces. But this time, I was wedged in tight.
“Relax,” said the Ranger calmly. He understood tense muscles tighten and constrict, and relaxed muscles remain supple. I, however, did not care, and fumed at him for being so calm and seemingly useless, just sitting there, while I was trapped. So, I gritted my teeth and determined to free myself, especially with the rest of the group watching. I strained and I pushed and I flailed. But the more I struggled, the more the rocks held firm.
The truth is, though, the rocks and earth did not have a hold of me. My own actions kept me from freeing myself. My own struggles kept me trapped. The stubborn belief that I could take care of the situation myself left me stuck.
The Ranger left no impression whether he believed in God or not, but his advice neatly summarized Isaiah 30:15: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” I would never have gotten free unless I had made the conscious decision to not worry any more about the situation, heed the Ranger’s advice to relax, and let go. Likewise, it is not until we acknowledge that Jesus is in control of everything that we can let go of the many things that hold us, confound us, constrict us, and trap us.
The truth is, no matter how much we struggle to free ourselves from bad habits, addictions, relationships, or any situations that grab us, bind us, anger us and scare us, we cannot free ourselves by focusing on them. We cannot slip through the trouble spots of life until we consciously decide to rest and relax based on the truth. The truth is, lasting peace comes only through Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
January 1, 2009
December 1, 2008
Act of God
Hurricanes. Floods. Tornados. Earthquakes. Blizzards. Epic, powerful, disastrous forces beyond the control of man. In insurance policies, they are referred to as “acts of God.” When reported in the media, terms like “. . . of Biblical proportion” are used to describe their aftermath. People typically think that when God moves, mighty, formidable and enormous things happen.
Before the Lord spoke to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13, powerful winds tore apart rocks, an earthquake shook, and fire burned. But “the Lord was not in the wind,” “the Lord was not in the earthquake,” and “the Lord was not in the fire.” When the Lord spoke to Elijah after all the commotion, however, the New International Version describes it as “a gentle whisper”, and the King James Version describes it as “a still small voice.”
This Christmas, when there arises such a clatter, before you rush to the window to see what is the matter, remember the presence of God is not necessarily there. The constant commotion and hyper hype of the holiday season serve as a poignant counterpoint to how God spoke to us on Christmas. When He decided to move on His momentous, earthshaking plan to save the world, He did not choose to announce His plan with an event of Biblical proportions.
He used the quiet cooing of a helpless, fragile, tiny baby.
Before the Lord spoke to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13, powerful winds tore apart rocks, an earthquake shook, and fire burned. But “the Lord was not in the wind,” “the Lord was not in the earthquake,” and “the Lord was not in the fire.” When the Lord spoke to Elijah after all the commotion, however, the New International Version describes it as “a gentle whisper”, and the King James Version describes it as “a still small voice.”
This Christmas, when there arises such a clatter, before you rush to the window to see what is the matter, remember the presence of God is not necessarily there. The constant commotion and hyper hype of the holiday season serve as a poignant counterpoint to how God spoke to us on Christmas. When He decided to move on His momentous, earthshaking plan to save the world, He did not choose to announce His plan with an event of Biblical proportions.
He used the quiet cooing of a helpless, fragile, tiny baby.
November 1, 2008
Three Points of Contact
Teetering on two feet and a fingertip. Wobbling on one foot, a hip and an elbow. Shaking on a shoulder, one foot and a forehead.
Contortions are the norm when straining at the top of a 20-foot ladder, trying to paint a spot close to 30-feet above the ground. No matter how precarious the situation though, if my body had three points of contact with something solid - the ladder, the side of the house, or the roof – I felt a little steadier and a little more secure. I was just happy for some sense of stability by touching something firm and grounded, no matter which combination of body parts I used.
Moving off the ladder and onto the firm, but sloped, roof was no prize either. While painting around an electrical line feeding the house, I limboed under the wire with one foot and my bottom scraping along the lower roof, and a white-knuckle death grip on the upper roof above me. As I scooted under the wire, I released the upper roof, and quickly jammed my other foot against a 1-inch wide window frame edge to re-establish a third contact point as fast as I could. Take away any one of those contact points, and I slip down the roof and right into the emergency room, covered in paint.
When trying to put Jesus in a precarious position, the Pharisees tested Him by asking “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36) Jesus’ reply indicates we need three points of contact between us and God for peace, clarity and security: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22: 37).
No matter how wobbly, rickety or shaky things seem at work, at home or in the world around us, these three points of spiritual contact with God bring more than just some vague sense of stability. In time, through prayer, fasting and Bible study, we will be able to stand grounded and firm on “the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:4), even though it might seem like we’re just hanging on by a fingernail, a hair and an eyelash.
Contortions are the norm when straining at the top of a 20-foot ladder, trying to paint a spot close to 30-feet above the ground. No matter how precarious the situation though, if my body had three points of contact with something solid - the ladder, the side of the house, or the roof – I felt a little steadier and a little more secure. I was just happy for some sense of stability by touching something firm and grounded, no matter which combination of body parts I used.
Moving off the ladder and onto the firm, but sloped, roof was no prize either. While painting around an electrical line feeding the house, I limboed under the wire with one foot and my bottom scraping along the lower roof, and a white-knuckle death grip on the upper roof above me. As I scooted under the wire, I released the upper roof, and quickly jammed my other foot against a 1-inch wide window frame edge to re-establish a third contact point as fast as I could. Take away any one of those contact points, and I slip down the roof and right into the emergency room, covered in paint.
When trying to put Jesus in a precarious position, the Pharisees tested Him by asking “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36) Jesus’ reply indicates we need three points of contact between us and God for peace, clarity and security: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22: 37).
No matter how wobbly, rickety or shaky things seem at work, at home or in the world around us, these three points of spiritual contact with God bring more than just some vague sense of stability. In time, through prayer, fasting and Bible study, we will be able to stand grounded and firm on “the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:4), even though it might seem like we’re just hanging on by a fingernail, a hair and an eyelash.
October 1, 2008
10%
EVERYTHING ON SALE!!!! Act now!!! Don’t miss out!!! Limited time only!!! 10 to 50% OFF!!! When retailers want to get your attention, sales start at 10%. Anything less than that benchmark just doesn’t seem attractive enough to get someone to notice the advertisement, let alone buy something. Would an ad that blared, “EVERYTHING ON SALE!!!! 1 to 9% OFF!!!” get a second thought?
So is it any wonder that tithing originally started at 10% (Lev. 27:30-32)? I’ll pause to listen for the collective groan from some who right now are thinking, “Ugh. The money talk – again.” Including me. Believe me, if you’re sitting near me on Sunday’s in the coming months during the Stewardship drive, you might just hear me groan, too. I realize I am supposed to give, but how many times do I need to be reminded?
However, my 2¢ on the 10% is this: We were purchased with the life of Jesus Christ, and although nothing we do can repay God, giving up 10% of what we earn helps tangibly demonstrate that our hearts are in the right place and not tied up in worldly things. Although I believe we are not obligated to give 10% if we cannot do it cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7), what other benchmark should we use to fulfill Christ’s charge to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him (Luke 9:23)?
10% is not something we just mindlessly toss in a collection plate. 10% forces us to deliberately plan and consider what we must give up and let go. 10% compels us to think about why we are giving it up and letting it go.
We may not be able to teach the Word, take care of the widows, support the poor, comfort the afflicted, visit the lonely, heal the sick and feed the hungry by ourselves, but our money enables organizations that do to serve more effectively. Don’t like hearing the church ask for money? Give directly to Good Samaritan, God’s Love, or any other group spreading His Word or helping the less fortunate, and see what happens in your heart.
Giving up 10% of our meager stuff seems like such a bargain compared to everything Jesus gave up. But we better act now!!! Don’t miss out!!! Limited time only!!!
So is it any wonder that tithing originally started at 10% (Lev. 27:30-32)? I’ll pause to listen for the collective groan from some who right now are thinking, “Ugh. The money talk – again.” Including me. Believe me, if you’re sitting near me on Sunday’s in the coming months during the Stewardship drive, you might just hear me groan, too. I realize I am supposed to give, but how many times do I need to be reminded?
However, my 2¢ on the 10% is this: We were purchased with the life of Jesus Christ, and although nothing we do can repay God, giving up 10% of what we earn helps tangibly demonstrate that our hearts are in the right place and not tied up in worldly things. Although I believe we are not obligated to give 10% if we cannot do it cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7), what other benchmark should we use to fulfill Christ’s charge to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him (Luke 9:23)?
10% is not something we just mindlessly toss in a collection plate. 10% forces us to deliberately plan and consider what we must give up and let go. 10% compels us to think about why we are giving it up and letting it go.
We may not be able to teach the Word, take care of the widows, support the poor, comfort the afflicted, visit the lonely, heal the sick and feed the hungry by ourselves, but our money enables organizations that do to serve more effectively. Don’t like hearing the church ask for money? Give directly to Good Samaritan, God’s Love, or any other group spreading His Word or helping the less fortunate, and see what happens in your heart.
Giving up 10% of our meager stuff seems like such a bargain compared to everything Jesus gave up. But we better act now!!! Don’t miss out!!! Limited time only!!!
September 1, 2008
Mt. Helena
When the time came to ask Kristin to marry me, my plan was foolproof. I would surprise her at the top of Mount Helena with the picturesque valley below. The mountain prominently dominates the city skyline, so she would never forget where and when she was proposed to. Visions about how magical this moment would be had swirled in my head for months. My proposal would grandly and eloquently declare my everlasting love, dedication, joy and anticipation about our future lifetime together.
So up the mountain we went for a hike on what I decided would be The Day. She was almost totally oblivious. The closer we got to the top of the mountain, the harder the butterflies started banging around in my stomach. At the top, I got down into the rocks on one knee, and reached into the backpack for the ring. I looked up at her, popped open the ring box, summoned all my courage, and with heart-felt conviction said . . . . . said . . . . . said . . . . . “Ghklfh-phdwtfff . . . gack!” She snatched the ring before I keeled over, jammed the ring on her finger, and said yes before I could do any more damage to my larynx.
Thank goodness she knew what my actions meant, even though I said nothing. Nothing coherent anyway. But as Paul stated, “good deeds are obvious” (1 Timothy 5:25), meaning that no words are necessary when you are doing the right thing out of love. So when we get stuck wondering about how best to serve Christ or to love our neighbors, “let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Our deeds and actions will tell people plenty, even if we don’t speak a word. Since 1999, I’ve had a wedding ring as proof.
So up the mountain we went for a hike on what I decided would be The Day. She was almost totally oblivious. The closer we got to the top of the mountain, the harder the butterflies started banging around in my stomach. At the top, I got down into the rocks on one knee, and reached into the backpack for the ring. I looked up at her, popped open the ring box, summoned all my courage, and with heart-felt conviction said . . . . . said . . . . . said . . . . . “Ghklfh-phdwtfff . . . gack!” She snatched the ring before I keeled over, jammed the ring on her finger, and said yes before I could do any more damage to my larynx.
Thank goodness she knew what my actions meant, even though I said nothing. Nothing coherent anyway. But as Paul stated, “good deeds are obvious” (1 Timothy 5:25), meaning that no words are necessary when you are doing the right thing out of love. So when we get stuck wondering about how best to serve Christ or to love our neighbors, “let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Our deeds and actions will tell people plenty, even if we don’t speak a word. Since 1999, I’ve had a wedding ring as proof.
August 1, 2008
Rosie
Rosie’s voice drifted forward from the back seat, “Mr. Connolly, why didn’t the frog have any bones?” I thought for a moment, and responded that I had no idea why the frog didn’t have any bones. A giggle preceded the squealed answer: “Because he was a donut!!!” Dumbfounded, I erupted in laughter even though I could not even remotely make the connection between an amphibian lacking a skeletal system and deep-fried dough.
The jokes always got lobbed around as we carpooled on the way to pre-school. None of the jokes from the booster seats made any sense, but it didn’t matter. I laughed and laughed, hamming it up, and the kids, especially Rosie, just beamed at the encouragement. Soon, whenever I would see Rosie outside of carpooling days, before saying “Hi”, she would start, “Mr. Connolly, what do you call . . . ” I was known to her as someone who laughed at her jokes.
What are you known for? We will all be remembered positively or negatively by the people we interact with because of something that we do or say. To help guide us in those interactions, Paul outlined the traits we should be exhibiting as the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
As Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20 NASB), and maybe Rosie knew me as someone kind enough to share a laugh with, no matter how ludicrous the answer was to “What did the pork chop say to the tree?” However, since I do interact with people, even some adults occasionally, I need to do a better job demonstrating the other fruits of the spirit. That way I might be known for more than laughing at a pre-schooler’s nonsensical jokes, and in so doing, bring credit and glory to Jesus.
The jokes always got lobbed around as we carpooled on the way to pre-school. None of the jokes from the booster seats made any sense, but it didn’t matter. I laughed and laughed, hamming it up, and the kids, especially Rosie, just beamed at the encouragement. Soon, whenever I would see Rosie outside of carpooling days, before saying “Hi”, she would start, “Mr. Connolly, what do you call . . . ” I was known to her as someone who laughed at her jokes.
What are you known for? We will all be remembered positively or negatively by the people we interact with because of something that we do or say. To help guide us in those interactions, Paul outlined the traits we should be exhibiting as the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
As Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20 NASB), and maybe Rosie knew me as someone kind enough to share a laugh with, no matter how ludicrous the answer was to “What did the pork chop say to the tree?” However, since I do interact with people, even some adults occasionally, I need to do a better job demonstrating the other fruits of the spirit. That way I might be known for more than laughing at a pre-schooler’s nonsensical jokes, and in so doing, bring credit and glory to Jesus.
May 1, 2008
Quantum Physics
In Romans 1:20, Paul emphasizes God’s personal attributes can be known through the observable qualities of the world around us, i.e., His creation. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
But what about things that cannot be clearly seen, like subatomic particles? Newsweek science editor Sharon Begley summarized the seemingly bizarre results of some recent quantum physics experiments in the July 30, 2007 issue. When an individual particle of light is shot at a screen with two slits in it, the particle can pass through one slit or the other as you might expect, or through both slits at the same time. If one particle being in two places simultaneously wasn’t weird enough, somehow the act of observing the experiment alters whether the particle passed through one slit or two, depending on when the observation began. Begley summarized the results by quoting physicist Jeff Tollaksen: “It suggests that the universe has a destiny – a destiny that is out there and coming back to us from the future.”
The results of the experiments seem strange. But maybe God is dropping hints about His personal qualities to physicists and Newsweek readers using the light particle experiments. The Bible states “God is light” (1 John 1:5), and “Christ is all, and is in all” (Col. 3:11) without regard for size or time. The Bible is also pretty clear about the destiny of the universe, and it involves Jesus coming back to us because He is the one “who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Rev. 1:8).
God reveals His qualities in everything, from the tiniest bits of matter on the planet to His clearly seen creation. Big and small, invisible and visible, His fingerprints are all over everything, whether we look around with the naked eye or with an electron microscope, so we really will not have an excuse for not knowing Him.
But what about things that cannot be clearly seen, like subatomic particles? Newsweek science editor Sharon Begley summarized the seemingly bizarre results of some recent quantum physics experiments in the July 30, 2007 issue. When an individual particle of light is shot at a screen with two slits in it, the particle can pass through one slit or the other as you might expect, or through both slits at the same time. If one particle being in two places simultaneously wasn’t weird enough, somehow the act of observing the experiment alters whether the particle passed through one slit or two, depending on when the observation began. Begley summarized the results by quoting physicist Jeff Tollaksen: “It suggests that the universe has a destiny – a destiny that is out there and coming back to us from the future.”
The results of the experiments seem strange. But maybe God is dropping hints about His personal qualities to physicists and Newsweek readers using the light particle experiments. The Bible states “God is light” (1 John 1:5), and “Christ is all, and is in all” (Col. 3:11) without regard for size or time. The Bible is also pretty clear about the destiny of the universe, and it involves Jesus coming back to us because He is the one “who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Rev. 1:8).
God reveals His qualities in everything, from the tiniest bits of matter on the planet to His clearly seen creation. Big and small, invisible and visible, His fingerprints are all over everything, whether we look around with the naked eye or with an electron microscope, so we really will not have an excuse for not knowing Him.
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