October 11, 1994
Ever hear about the child psychologist who had six theories and no children? He eventually wound up with six children and no theories!
When I was a teenager, I was full of theories too. I had many books about training horses and they filled me with ideas of how to do it. It was not until I owned horses and actually began working with them that I discovered the truth about theories.
First of all, I had to separate mere theory from tested examples. Some of the books were written by people with big ideas and not much experience. While some of their ideas may have worked, I did not want to waste my time and energy with too much experimenting.
Second, I had to follow the rules. When I tried to change them, nothing worked. The authors who tested and then wrote horse training methods based on what they discovered were far more reliable than any speculation on my part.
Third, no theories had any value until it went from the book to my head then into my sessions in the corral with that horse. Without putting those good ideas to work, they were useless, at least to me.
When I grew up, I heard people talk about the Bible as if it were theoretical. They said things like, “it is okay for you but doesn’t work for me.” It made me think of my horse training days, the theories that worked and didn’t work, and the reasons why.
While liberal thinking questions whether or not the Bible story is myth or historical reality, I have taken a look at the people who live by its principles. (Notice, that is different from those who SAY they live by it.) First examine the evidence regarding the human authors. Were they people of deceit and sin? Or were they holy men of God as the Bible claims? Did they follow what they prescribe for us to follow? Did it produce changed lives?
What I see around me in my church is tested examples — from people who take the Bible seriously. They do not play around with which part they will obey and which part they say is only a legend. They demonstrate a life of faith that the Bible talks about as a valid life. While validity is not easy, nor does it claim perfection, there is integrity in those examples.
If someone is going to be a Christian and follow Scripture, they have to do it with their whole heart. I had one horse that wanted to be caught and rode first. If I rode the other one before her, she would not let me catch her. Following Christ is like that. He comes first. Whenever anyone tries to be a Christian but other things take second place, neither theory or efforts “work.”
Scripture is not being restrictive or narrow; this is what works. We need to trust God to show us how to live just as He showed the authors of the Bible how to live. We will misinterpret it and at times we will rebel against it, but God will help us become Christlike people if we give ourselves to Him.
Also we cannot change what it says. Simply put, the Gospel is forgiveness of sin and freely given eternal life. People who accept the offer are different, sometimes uncomfortably so. He does not promise to make everyone rich or cure all our problems. He does promise us eternity in His presence and to be with us in all we experience here.
Most important, the principles of Scripture have to find their way into everything we do. It is not enough to talk about love, sacrifice, joy, and other biblical qualities. We have to be kind to those who mock us, give our time to meet needs, and praise God in all of it. Whatever Christianity is, it cannot be a religion of mere theory without practice.
Showing posts with label practical action. Show all posts
Showing posts with label practical action. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Is prayer the only thing that I can do? ............. Parables 357
February 16, 1953
“All we can do is pray for you.”
Anyone who has a praying relationship with God knows that prayer is a powerful force. For that reason, these words are meant to encourage needy people. However, sometimes those who hear them become angry or upset. Since prayer is supposed to “move mountains,” why would anyone react negatively when another person offers to pray for them?
One reason might be related to the nature of their need. Usually when someone asks for help they think the person who hears the request can personally do something to relieve their problem. For instance, when I have a cut finger and go to a doctor, I do not expect him or her tell me, “Well, all I can do is pray for you.” Doctors might pray but they should treat injuries too.
For some, expressing needs can be difficult, perhaps even sound like begging. If financial reversals drained every cent I had and I became very distraught because there was no food in my house, I might go to another Christian in tears. I would certainly want them to pray that God would take care of me, but I would not turn down a tangible demonstration of care, such as tears of sympathy, a big hug, or an invitation to supper.
The Bible does say, “Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17) If my comforter had the means and did not offer to share with me even though they prayed, I might feel they did not really care.
Another reason people spurn offers of prayer is that some do not believe their difficulties are “that bad.” For them, prayer is reserved for totally desperate situations, as if God is too busy to be bothered with minor problems. When someone suggests prayer, their first response is to minimize the situation, forgetting that God is big enough to be interested in every detail of our lives.
Finally, most negative responses to prayer come from a vague feeling that prayer does not work; God will never hear anyway because an unknown something blocks communication with Him.
While that unknown could be simple unbelief, it is usually compounded by a personal resistance towards God’s will. Psalm 66:18 says if we nurture sin in our heart, He will not hear our prayers.
That means anyone who loves their sin shuts the door on God. Of course they will not want to pray either. With no desire for forgiveness or fellowship with Him, they get upset when others even offer to pray on their behalf.
Yet God instructs people to pray. The needy person who gets angry when prayer is offered needs to examine his heart. What is preventing reliance on God? Is turning away from Him worth it?
The person whose offer to pray was rejected must to pray anyway, perhaps later when alone with God, because “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Yet prayer is seldom “all we can do.” God often meets needs through those who do the praying. So when we say, “I love you and will pray for you,” it is also important to look for ways to become part of the answer.
“All we can do is pray for you.”
Anyone who has a praying relationship with God knows that prayer is a powerful force. For that reason, these words are meant to encourage needy people. However, sometimes those who hear them become angry or upset. Since prayer is supposed to “move mountains,” why would anyone react negatively when another person offers to pray for them?
One reason might be related to the nature of their need. Usually when someone asks for help they think the person who hears the request can personally do something to relieve their problem. For instance, when I have a cut finger and go to a doctor, I do not expect him or her tell me, “Well, all I can do is pray for you.” Doctors might pray but they should treat injuries too.
For some, expressing needs can be difficult, perhaps even sound like begging. If financial reversals drained every cent I had and I became very distraught because there was no food in my house, I might go to another Christian in tears. I would certainly want them to pray that God would take care of me, but I would not turn down a tangible demonstration of care, such as tears of sympathy, a big hug, or an invitation to supper.
The Bible does say, “Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17) If my comforter had the means and did not offer to share with me even though they prayed, I might feel they did not really care.
Another reason people spurn offers of prayer is that some do not believe their difficulties are “that bad.” For them, prayer is reserved for totally desperate situations, as if God is too busy to be bothered with minor problems. When someone suggests prayer, their first response is to minimize the situation, forgetting that God is big enough to be interested in every detail of our lives.
Finally, most negative responses to prayer come from a vague feeling that prayer does not work; God will never hear anyway because an unknown something blocks communication with Him.
While that unknown could be simple unbelief, it is usually compounded by a personal resistance towards God’s will. Psalm 66:18 says if we nurture sin in our heart, He will not hear our prayers.
That means anyone who loves their sin shuts the door on God. Of course they will not want to pray either. With no desire for forgiveness or fellowship with Him, they get upset when others even offer to pray on their behalf.
Yet God instructs people to pray. The needy person who gets angry when prayer is offered needs to examine his heart. What is preventing reliance on God? Is turning away from Him worth it?
The person whose offer to pray was rejected must to pray anyway, perhaps later when alone with God, because “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Yet prayer is seldom “all we can do.” God often meets needs through those who do the praying. So when we say, “I love you and will pray for you,” it is also important to look for ways to become part of the answer.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Is it a control thing? ................ Parables 341
October 27, 1992
Ever notice how much easier dreams are than doing? For instance, in making decisions? Compare window shopping to actually going out and buying something. Every time I don’t have money or any intentions of spending what I do have, there are so many nice things in all the store windows. But when it comes to actually buying something, it is much more difficult to find what I want — in the same windows, in the same stores. Maybe it is because the money to be spent now is real money, not the stuff of dreams.
Dream decisions are easier, but so are dream conversations. In my imagination, I can say all the right words to that person I need to apologize to or to the class I want to teach. When it comes time to actually do it, my tongue gets tangled somewhere down around my beating heart and out comes strained stutters and ill-formed sentences.
Dream accomplishments are perhaps the easiest of all. In them, I control all factors including the plot, sub-plot, cast of characters, and every action committed and word said. Doing anything in my imagination is a snap, but when it comes to the real thing, the results are not quite the same.
Because of the gap between dreams and doing, life can be disappointing. Even though some dreamers find that some dreams do come true now and then, most of us know how frustration and failure can so easily shut down our vision. However, if we can bring God into the picture, things just might become very exciting. Think of it. God who sovereignly controls the universe becoming involved in making our dreams come true? Is that possible?
The people I know who have experienced it first had to know for certain that God Himself is not a dream, not a figment of the human imagination. If He is not real, there is no one but ourselves to make those dreams come true. However, Hebrews 11:6 says those who come to God MUST believe that He exists and that He REWARDS all those who seek Him. He is real and He does reward us for believing in Him. Thus, the Bible also describes the reality of living in faith. Genuine faith is not a hope-so, imaginary thing. Those who have it also have tangible peace, real changes in their lives and obvious answers to prayer.
Secondly, because God is able to do anything and make anything happen, and because He loves us and wants the best for us, He invites His children to draw near to Him. He says we can even call Him “daddy” as well as Lord, and invites us to bring our dreams along, explaining to Him the desires of our heart. When Jesus promised abundant life, He wanted us to know we do not have to continue in the narrow confines of “no one ever did that before” or “I can’t.” He wants us to experience a life so remarkable that it can only be explained by faith and by the fact that He is very real.
Obviously, God does not make every dream come true; He knows better. Some of the things we dream about are entirely selfish and destructive, doing little or nothing to glorify God or genuinely benefit us. God knows if all our dreams came true, some would be the nightmare variety.
But to many dreams God gives the nod. One of mine was having opportunity to go to Bible school. For years, it seemed impossible but God moved us to Moose Jaw, within twenty minutes of the largest Christian college in Canada... and here I am, nearly ready to graduate.
So for even the most frustrated dreamers among us, we have a God who says, “I am able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think, according to My riches in Christ Jesus.” Notice He not only listens but is the One who is able to go one step farther — above whatever we can ask and above whatever it is we dream about.
Ever notice how much easier dreams are than doing? For instance, in making decisions? Compare window shopping to actually going out and buying something. Every time I don’t have money or any intentions of spending what I do have, there are so many nice things in all the store windows. But when it comes to actually buying something, it is much more difficult to find what I want — in the same windows, in the same stores. Maybe it is because the money to be spent now is real money, not the stuff of dreams.
Dream decisions are easier, but so are dream conversations. In my imagination, I can say all the right words to that person I need to apologize to or to the class I want to teach. When it comes time to actually do it, my tongue gets tangled somewhere down around my beating heart and out comes strained stutters and ill-formed sentences.
Dream accomplishments are perhaps the easiest of all. In them, I control all factors including the plot, sub-plot, cast of characters, and every action committed and word said. Doing anything in my imagination is a snap, but when it comes to the real thing, the results are not quite the same.
Because of the gap between dreams and doing, life can be disappointing. Even though some dreamers find that some dreams do come true now and then, most of us know how frustration and failure can so easily shut down our vision. However, if we can bring God into the picture, things just might become very exciting. Think of it. God who sovereignly controls the universe becoming involved in making our dreams come true? Is that possible?
The people I know who have experienced it first had to know for certain that God Himself is not a dream, not a figment of the human imagination. If He is not real, there is no one but ourselves to make those dreams come true. However, Hebrews 11:6 says those who come to God MUST believe that He exists and that He REWARDS all those who seek Him. He is real and He does reward us for believing in Him. Thus, the Bible also describes the reality of living in faith. Genuine faith is not a hope-so, imaginary thing. Those who have it also have tangible peace, real changes in their lives and obvious answers to prayer.
Secondly, because God is able to do anything and make anything happen, and because He loves us and wants the best for us, He invites His children to draw near to Him. He says we can even call Him “daddy” as well as Lord, and invites us to bring our dreams along, explaining to Him the desires of our heart. When Jesus promised abundant life, He wanted us to know we do not have to continue in the narrow confines of “no one ever did that before” or “I can’t.” He wants us to experience a life so remarkable that it can only be explained by faith and by the fact that He is very real.
Obviously, God does not make every dream come true; He knows better. Some of the things we dream about are entirely selfish and destructive, doing little or nothing to glorify God or genuinely benefit us. God knows if all our dreams came true, some would be the nightmare variety.
But to many dreams God gives the nod. One of mine was having opportunity to go to Bible school. For years, it seemed impossible but God moved us to Moose Jaw, within twenty minutes of the largest Christian college in Canada... and here I am, nearly ready to graduate.
So for even the most frustrated dreamers among us, we have a God who says, “I am able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think, according to My riches in Christ Jesus.” Notice He not only listens but is the One who is able to go one step farther — above whatever we can ask and above whatever it is we dream about.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Think or do? Or think and do? ................ Parables 112
April 7, 1992
Two women were discussing the textbooks for a particular college course. One said one of the books was “too philosophical.” The other woman agreed with her, then added the other book was “far more practical.”
As they talked, it was evident they did not like the first book as much as the second. It forced them to think about ideas and theories. The second book was about action to take in certain situations. It was easier to read and the answers to the problems discussed were in the back of the book.
These women were talking about a course in Counseling, but this same contrast between philosophical and practical frequently is used to describe other books, other courses, even those who teach the courses.
What bothers me is that the two approaches, no matter the topic to which they are applied, are usually kept separate — as if thinking and doing have no relationship to each other. In other words, the philosophical approach is not considered practical and even if the information is useful, no one bothers to make it so. Instead, students are given theories that sound like untested opinions and assumptions that may or may not work in the “real world.”
On the other hand, the practical approach involves a lot less thinking, at least for the students. The teacher (or author) has dissected the problems, struggled through the solutions, then presents just those, sometimes without revealing any of the theory behind his work. All that is left for the student to do is apply the same solutions to the same problems — very practical.
Of course the philosophical or thinking part is important in any field of endeavor. No matter the discipline: art, music, engineering, teaching, counseling, raising kids, or training dogs, there is some theory that must be worked out. No one can act in a correct manner without they themselves, or someone else, thoroughly considering the issues.
The difference between the two approaches is whether the student is going to learn how to think for themselves — and thus be able to identify and solve problems that are not in the textbook — or whether that student is equipped with some good answers just in case he or she happens to run into the exact same problems described by the instruction book.
I’m glad the Bible is a good balance between philosophical and practical. Even at that, some respond to it with, “Don’t give me all that theology — I just want to hear something practical.” They seem to want a quick-fix, no lectures, and certainly not any doctrinal arguments. On the other hand, others immerse themselves in theology and the theoretical without ever seeking God for specific solutions to take action regarding specific problems. The balance is knowing the philosophy in His Word — then being able to apply it to the unique situations of our lives. The process of thinking is not contrary to spirituality. In fact one author said that most of the problems in the world would never happen if the people involved gave 30 minutes of concentrated thought to the consequences of their actions — a statement both philosophical and highly practical. Taking action is not contrary to spirituality either. The life of Jesus Christ exemplifies both.
The Apostle Paul also put both together when he wrote Timothy telling him to stick to “sound doctrine” so he could live righteously. Then he added, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for doctrine, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Whoever picked those textbooks first mentioned knew some philosophical effort is necessary for practical action. Christian living involves both: thinking and doing.
Two women were discussing the textbooks for a particular college course. One said one of the books was “too philosophical.” The other woman agreed with her, then added the other book was “far more practical.”
As they talked, it was evident they did not like the first book as much as the second. It forced them to think about ideas and theories. The second book was about action to take in certain situations. It was easier to read and the answers to the problems discussed were in the back of the book.
These women were talking about a course in Counseling, but this same contrast between philosophical and practical frequently is used to describe other books, other courses, even those who teach the courses.
What bothers me is that the two approaches, no matter the topic to which they are applied, are usually kept separate — as if thinking and doing have no relationship to each other. In other words, the philosophical approach is not considered practical and even if the information is useful, no one bothers to make it so. Instead, students are given theories that sound like untested opinions and assumptions that may or may not work in the “real world.”
On the other hand, the practical approach involves a lot less thinking, at least for the students. The teacher (or author) has dissected the problems, struggled through the solutions, then presents just those, sometimes without revealing any of the theory behind his work. All that is left for the student to do is apply the same solutions to the same problems — very practical.
Of course the philosophical or thinking part is important in any field of endeavor. No matter the discipline: art, music, engineering, teaching, counseling, raising kids, or training dogs, there is some theory that must be worked out. No one can act in a correct manner without they themselves, or someone else, thoroughly considering the issues.
The difference between the two approaches is whether the student is going to learn how to think for themselves — and thus be able to identify and solve problems that are not in the textbook — or whether that student is equipped with some good answers just in case he or she happens to run into the exact same problems described by the instruction book.
I’m glad the Bible is a good balance between philosophical and practical. Even at that, some respond to it with, “Don’t give me all that theology — I just want to hear something practical.” They seem to want a quick-fix, no lectures, and certainly not any doctrinal arguments. On the other hand, others immerse themselves in theology and the theoretical without ever seeking God for specific solutions to take action regarding specific problems. The balance is knowing the philosophy in His Word — then being able to apply it to the unique situations of our lives. The process of thinking is not contrary to spirituality. In fact one author said that most of the problems in the world would never happen if the people involved gave 30 minutes of concentrated thought to the consequences of their actions — a statement both philosophical and highly practical. Taking action is not contrary to spirituality either. The life of Jesus Christ exemplifies both.
The Apostle Paul also put both together when he wrote Timothy telling him to stick to “sound doctrine” so he could live righteously. Then he added, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for doctrine, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Whoever picked those textbooks first mentioned knew some philosophical effort is necessary for practical action. Christian living involves both: thinking and doing.
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