Prayer

A great friend, John Vawter
A prayer nugget from Richard Foster and Gayle Beebe in “Longing for God.”
“Through prayer we work to sort out what role we will play as secondary agents in God’s primary purposes. Prayer is not telling God what we think, or simply thanking Hm for His provision of food and drink. Rather it is our active, intentional effort to understand what God is doing and how we can join Him. Thus through prayer we become coparticipants with God. God’s will sets everything in motion. Our will, directed by devotion and prayer allows us to participate in His purposes.

Prayer has evolved for me from the early, “Come Lord Jesus be our guest. Let this food to us be blest;” to, “The Bible says you have not because you ask not, so I’m asking for….” And the result of that prayer style caused much cynicism and resentment toward God for not answering the prayers I was offering (the way I wanted them answered.)” Then intercessory prayer lists were the emphasis, that after a time. became drudgery, for which I would feel guilty when neglecting the lists.

At three score and ten, I’m thinking all those aspects of prayer are important especially during certain times of a walk with God. I’m at a stage in my spiritual journey where I have my requests, my intercessions, my gratitude, but I’m sensing the need to “pray without ceasing” with my ears tuned to what God would want to say to me.

As my good friend John Vawter and I were talking this morning, it is easy for a performance-oriented guy to pray for blessing as we are or have acomplished a task. The vim and vigor of younger years is not a format conducive to pray without ceasing, rather “work without ceasing” and slip in prayer now and then as you go.

As the aging or disease process calls for a slowing down in performance, our walk with God can become more reflective and intimate because the “doing” is diminishing, causing the “being” to become more of a challenge. At this time our prayer becomes an active, intentional effort to understand what God is doing in our lives and also how we can join Him in what HE is doing elsewhere.

Growth in Godliness

Fryes and Pitts - great friends seperated only by location.



In our quest for following the Scriptural directive to “Go and make disciples” our last posts have been directed to “God, show me anything within me that stifles my growth as a disciple of Jesus.”

We tend to resist that exercise out of fear of what we might see or out of resistance to change.
How freeing it is though to see an aberant attidue or behavior, repent of it and cooperate with God in changing it. Results? A growing freedom from the selfishness or resentment, or fear, or whatever has surfaced. Growth in godliness. So, where do we start?

1. Prayer. King David’s prayer becomes ours. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

2. Instruction. The study of Scripture shows us God’s expectations for us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 indicates, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
As we understand the seemingly impossible standards God sets before us, it makes more evident our need for Christ’s empowerment. “Not by might, nor by power, but by God’s Spirit.”

3. WE are not stand-alone Christians, but a part of the body of Christ. One of the blessings of this position is to be involved with a person (spiritual training partner), a mentor, or a small group of followers of Christ endeavoring to live authentically.

I am so blessed to meet with four other guys every Wednesday morning who share my quest for growth in godliness. We lovingly encourage and confront each other as we share the depths of our soul’s pursuit of the Romans 8:29 “being conformed to the image of Christ.”
But our group is rare. I hear of very few opportunities like this.

As John Burke proclaims, “without a doubt, telling another person(s) about our deepest, darkest secrets, our ongoing struggles, our hypocritical behavior, or our sin patterns is probably the hardest thing to do – but the most important. "

Excuses are made to avoid this activity like, “Why can’t I just confess to God?” “What good will it do to air my junk to another person?” All our excuses are part of the denial mechanism that keeps us stuck and this is exactly why Scripture says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16.

Healed:
from resentments, fears,destructive behavior, pride, selfishness, relational and emotional struggle

Growth:
as described in James 1:2-4 "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

That will only happen when we see Jesus, face to face. But until then, our Wednesday morning group will help propel me to that end. Thanks, men.

The Search Process

Friends that can be trusted. So valuable! Thanks, Mark and Jay.

Piggy-backing on the last two posts, herewith the following.
"Examine my heart?" But I know myself well. Why do I need God to examine me? Why fix the engine when it’s not broken?

Jeremiah 17:9 tells us The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind?] Amp.

For that natural blindness reason we need God to continually and gently show us that which needs growth, reminding us of that Psalm 139:23-24 charge “Search my heart, Oh God…”

The Living Study Bible foot notes of this passage explains “heart” this way: “The heart is the center of one’s being, an image for a person’s thought life, reflections and will. The story of the heart reveals a person’s commitment and direction in life. The Bible describes the hearts of wicked as cunning and scheming, deceptive, hypocritical, lacking in integrity, greedy, and jealous. This evolves into an arrogance and calloused stubornness. This person’s only commitment is to themselves and that destructive way of life leads to their own destruction.

“The psalmists openly confess their sorrow, trouble, anguish and despair. Through their pain, their hearts grow. They pray intensely, longing for God, to trust in Him and open their hearts to God’s examination. Their commitment does not waver, and their lives are pure and contented even when broken. As their broken hearts are healed by the Lord, they become strong, confident and vital. In the end, the Lord gives them the desires of their hearts and then satisfies them.”

I pray “Search my heart Oh God” and not stop there, but go on to follow the advice in James 5:16 – “Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” Amp.

A small, intimate group of men (for a man), women for a woman, that lovingly and with encouragement stimulates with grace our desire for growth is invaluable. If not a group, a spiritual training partner, someone who is “doing life” with us, who cares enough to encouragingly confront when they observe a destructive attitude or behavior and to reflect God’s grace so that we can bring our aberant behavior to light, for growth and change.

We tend to resist this personal examination procedure by God out of fear of pain, condemnation, or out of pride and insecurity. And how much more we oppose sharing the examination results we encounter with another person – an accountabillity partner or spiritual training partner.

So, where do we start? That’ll be the next post

Gabriella, Gretchen and Dominick
our Florida family attraction



Montana Gary, in his usual perceptive and articulate way, contributes his thoughts in response to yesterday's blog.

"Your mantra is familiar—I’ve learned that I must ask Father to do that with me because I do not do it well myself. As introspective as I tend to be, I have blind spots, areas I miss when I consider growth in Christ, growth in the Father, growth in the Spirit. I am blind to what may be the most important areas of my life that the Lord desires to do business over so I do not consider change or growth there. It is only through being open to His searching, allowing and welcoming His probing of my character and paradigm that I am willing to accept His redirection into a path truly His.

"How often I become satisfied in myself and see little need for change until He discomforts me with His view of my life. Being open to His probing, accepting His queries about my values and practices, becoming honest in my responses to Him, is key to staying faithfully His. His is a change agenda, continually being conformed to His image, rather than entrenched and satisfied in myself and my comfort zone.

"My goal not only for the year but also for each day is to stay in step with what He is revealing to me and in my life continually. I do not want to be the man that argues with God about moving in His direction. I do not want to lag behind or run ahead but rather to be close enough to be holding His hand, hearing His heartbeat, near enough to be in arm’s reach. Near is never too near, far enough away is always too far. Gary"

Thanks Gary, for your meaningful contribution to this blog site.

Focus in 2010

Scoleris and Burwicks eating Idaho spuds in Orlando at Five Guys.

New Year’s resolutions are usually counter-productive. They often last through the first month and thereafter rapidly dwindle in effectiveness. Result? Guilt.

However, I’ve found that having a yearly focus is very productive.“What is God wanting to do in my life? What is my purpose in life at this stage?” These two questions seem to be posed to me by the Father for this new year.

Psalm 139:23-24 seems to be my verses for 2010, In the NLT is states: Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The Message Bible has an interesting translation of the passage: Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about;
See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Thus, with these two verses in the forefront of my mind, an abreviated rendition is my “mantra” for 2010: Father, search me, confront me and guide me along your path.

This I believe addresses my two questions: “What is God wanting to do in my life? What is my purpose in life at this stage?”

How about you? What are your thoughts to this game plan? Have you any new year proposals? Let me know at rburwick@mindspring.com.

Our Real Identity

Theresa with Gretchen and Gabriella

We’re in Orlando for a week with my daughter Gretchen and her family. The kids are in school. The house is quiet and I’m getting prepared for a mentoring session with Zac, dabbling in Romans 6 – the description of the ideal Christian life. (Chapter 7 goes on to say Romans 6 is impossible to live, followed by chapter 8 that describes the power to live chapter 6).

It is interesting to note that in our time of positive psychology, death is the emphasis of this foundational chapter in the Bible. Old sin nature died. Old evil desires fatally wounded. Died with Christ. Sin loving nature buried. And twice mentioned: sins power broken. Just half of the times “New Life” (the positive) is addressed.

Allow me to digress to basketball coaching. If you see a weakness in a kid’s shooting style, you don’t give him positive feedback. You make him aware of the negative and demonstrate the correction – focusing on the correct way to shoot. Likewise, I believe God, through Paul, is saying to us, “No, no, no. You don’t have to sin. Do you hear me? You don’t have to sin. That person you were before you became a follower of Me is dead. Is gone. Let me emphasize: You don’t have to sin.” (Reformed doctrine -we sin every day…- is a bit shakey here.)

New life in Christ is available to us. Verse 11: so reckon, count on, look upon, consider, continually remind yourself of your position in Christ – dead to your old sinful ways, and alive in His new life. Think like it. Act like it. That is our true identity. 2 Corinthians 5:17 is supportive evidence. The NIV states: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” The Amplified version: “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

Though we are new creatures in Christ, we still have a “flesh” that can sin. Verse 16 indicates that we have a choice – obedience to God or disobedience. Galatians 5 makes the options more visible. “And I say: In the Spirit walk ye, and the desire of the flesh ye may not complete; for the flesh doth desire contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit contrary to the flesh, and these are opposed one to another, that the things that ye may will -- these ye may not do; and if by the Spirit ye are led, ye are not under law. And manifest also are the works of the flesh, which are: Adultery, whoredom, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strifes, emulations, wraths, rivalries, dissensions, sects, envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revellings, and such like, of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that those doing such things the reign of God shall not inherit. And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law; and those who are Christ's, the flesh did crucify with the affections, and the desires; if we may live in the Spirit, in the Spirit also we may walk.Young’s Literal Translation

‘Nuff SAID. Followers of Jesus Christ: Think and Act Like who we really are.

Treasures of darkness

My hobby, carving diamond willow.

I’m amazed at the timeliness of Os Hillman’s blog writing and my circumstances. If you don’t get his daily blog, I’d encourage you to consider doing so. They can be contacted through Marketplace Leaders [tgif@marketplaceleaders.org].

Today’s writing is so pertinent. “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name (Isa 45:3).
When God takes you to a depth of soul experience be alert to new truths and new perspectives. During these times God often leads us to amazing new discoveries. It can be a storehouse of unexpected riches for the soul.“

My recent Parkinson’s experience is a good example of darkness where I’m mining treasure. The overwhelming fear of not being able to walk again has propelled me into a quest for knowing God at a deeper level, because “perfect love casts out all fear,” and the only source of perfect love I know is God. I’m learning that I can know God intellectually by reading His Word. I’m learning that meshing the cognitive with the affective (feeling level), that there is greater sense of His Presence. The environment that provides this seems to be found in the milieu of darkness (adversity, stretching, tough times.)

In going through John 15 again this morning, the word “obedience” leapt out at me. Jesus speaking, ”I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love. When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in His love.” Living in His love through obedience.

Consequently, my growth theme for the year, which is “God, Search me. Confront me. Lead me,” is very appropriate. Show me any area of disobedience that could obstruct my receiving the message of God’s love and sovereignty in my life.

The PD experience has also motivated me to search out what I can do to deal with PD constructively. Become more stress-free, develop a deeper joyful, grateful spirit because that produces dopamine in the brain (which my medication does), exercise, be creative and connect with significant people that are uplifting.

Hillman finishes his article with, “When we go through a trial of adversity, we need to understand that God is performing radical surgery on our life. The purpose of this surgery is not to destroy us, but to give us a new heart. God is making a fundamental change in who we are and who we will be. And, He will always reveal treasures from these secret places if we are willing to walk through the process patiently.”

I'd prefer not having times of darkness, but I sure appreciate the treasures that come from God through them.

Christianity - headache or comfort

The fearful one.



Hannah W. Smith was once speaking with an intelligent agnostic, hoping to have a Christian influence on him. He made an interesting statement, “Well madam, all I have to say is this. If you Christians want to make us agnostics inclined to look into your religion, you must try to be more omfortable in the possession of it yourselves. The Christians I meet seem to me to be the very most uncomfortable people anywhere around. They seem to carry their religion as a man caries a headache. He does not want to get rid of his head, but at the same time is is very uncomfortable to have it. And I for one do not care to have that sort of religion..”

Rather a convicting observation. Like, “Ray, why were you so fearful when you experienced that Parkinson’s crash and burn a couple weeks ago? If you believe I’m in control and have the best in mind for you, why the fear?”

Though having walked with God for 63 years, I realized that there was a depth of God- awareness that I was missing. This prompted me to organize memorized Scripture on God’s love. I re-read Smith’s book “God of all Comfort. The most meaningful exercise was having the Lighthouse Mission men write a love letter from God to each of them and to me, but even that awareness was short-lived.

It made me wonder if learning about God’s love happens mostly through an affective experience. Some stretching, time of turbulence, being in over my head provides the emotional (affective) environment to mesh that which I had studied cognitively and an inching down from head to heart takes place.

Music seems to be an arena where head meets heart. When Theresa and I play music and sing together, there is often tears of joy and gratitude. Head to heart.

I’d be interested to know your experience in deepening an awareness of God’s love.

Part 2 of a crash and burn experience.

Black Walnut gun stand I built (my therapy)


What I learned from the experience as described in yesterday's post?
• I’m not as mature in my walk with God as I thought.
• God’s grace and mercy covers my repented sin.
• In like manner, I need to abundantly give grace and mercy to those around me.
• "Thanks and rejoice" is a supernatural response that I can’t perform in my own strength when the adversity is seemingly overwhelming. God has to empower my willingness to accomplish the challenge and then provide the strength to complete the objective.
• A more positive attitude came from the lessening of symptoms, not from the source of Romans 15:13.
• That I need to learn more deeply of God’s love (Ephesians 3:16-21 and Romans 8) and keep growing.
• As I’m coming out of the tail spin, I’m recognizing more clearly the impact our thought life has on our total sense of well-being. The negativity of fear exacerbated the PD symptoms. Conversely, focusing on gratitude and being joyful is just plain ol’ mental and physical health producing. “A joyous heart is like good medicine,” Proverbs tells us.

I began to study because Romans 12:2 says,”be transformed by the renewing of the mind.” Studied fear. Word search on “fear not” indicated the Scriptures direct us to “fear not” over 150 times.
“Fear” examined. Fear definitions: aphobos – fearlessly, without fear Phil. 1:14 would be an example.
Deilea – timidity; 2 Tim.1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Ekphobos – frightened out of one’s wits. Sore afraid; Heb.12:18-21
Phobio - exceedingly frightened; matt.10:28
Phobos - same

Studying “fear” didn’t seem to meet my need, because I was only addressing the symptom. Then I was reminded that … perfect love expels all fear… 1 Jn.4:18
And where does perfect love originate? 1 John 4:9-10 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

If I know God’s love at a deep affective level, fear should subside. (It is 99% gone.)
2 Timothy 1:7 emphasizes this: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Giving thanks in and for all things seems absurd. But if we're going to believe that all things work together for good for those who love God and are endeavoring to fit into His plan, then we must and we'll benefit from it.

Sarah YOung in "Dear Jesus" reminds us that the bottom line is whether we trust God to use adversity for good in our life. God speaking: "Try to see your problem as a disguised blessing gradually transforming you into My likeness."

Christmas trauma

In my quest for spiritual growth, this past year I have asked the Lord to help me shorten the time span between a natural response to adversity and a supernatural response. From normal human feelings of sadness, anger, fear, to the Biblical injunctions of “Give thanks in all things and for all things,” and “Rejoice evermore.” And to be able to do this without repression from spiritualizing! (Being too quick with “thanks and rejoice” could repress some deep feelings that need to be felt and processed in a healthy way as a prerequisite to the attitude of gratitude."

I have had some significant opportunity to work on this character growth over Christmas. with a “crash and burn” in Denver, where I had the scare of my life, losing nearly all of my leg strength.

The weakness increased. The source unknown. Both contributed to the alarm. Was the cause related to the cortizone shot for my hip? Did it spike the blood sugar problem or was it counteractive to the Parkinson’s medication? Would I continue to lose leg strength so that I’d be in a wheelchair permanently? Medical advise was sought at a local Quick Care place. Doctor diagnosed the problem as sinusitus! Giving thanks and rejoicing? Not!

Strength continued to dissipate. Voice constriction deepened. Slow body movements increased. A feeling of wanting to “jump out of my skin” developed. Real antsy. So our next stop was the emergency room at Denver’s Lutheran Hospital. After a thorough exam and a five-hour wait, the diagnosis was stress-induced Parkinson’s trauma. Somehow the stress of the travel really kicked off the PD symptoms and the neurologist consult suggested increasing the PD medication.

Giving thanks and rejoicing? Not!

No quick relief ensued.We know that PD symptoms gradually increase. The body becomes “immune” to the medication. Was this the end of my vertical mobility? Fear reigned rampant. I emotionally withdrew from my wife. I don’t want to be a burden to her. God seemed distant. Was I mad at Him? Probably, but I didn’t feel it. Giving thanks and rejoicing? Not!

This reponse after I have ben teaching (thanks and rejoice) to the Lighthouse Mission men. I flunked my own test! Focus was on self, not on God. Sin. Thank God for his grace and mercy that accepts my repentance, dusts me off and encouragingly says, “I love you Ray. I’ll work everything for your good, the good of others and for my glory. Learn more deeply of my love for you. You are my beloved. Ray, let’s walk more intimately together. You provide the willingness and I’ll provide the empowerment to accomplish the growth that you desire. Learn from this temporary stumble.”

More tomorrow in the saga of weak legs, etc.