An Old Commandment Understood In a New Way

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34

I was pondering over these verses and it wasn't until today that Jesus' words "New Commandment" created a problem for me. Loving one another is not a new commandment!!

We don't have to go back very far to find it; only two thousand years earlier we find the command "You Shall Love thy Neighbor as yourself". Lev 19:18. (see right there it is )
I was stumped until I read the next verse. Perhaps it is a "New Commandment" in the sense that what is new is we are now to stand out as Jesus' Disciples by the way we love one another. I could be wrong here, but what made the Jews stand out was in their practicing Jewish Festivals and sacrifices and they inherited the "Land". So what now characterizes the Christian as a, real disciple of Jesus, is not in how he practices his religion or what country he is affiliated with, but by how much he loves his brother(s). Possible?

That being said, I wonder if a problem we have with loving our brother is not that he commits evil acts. We all agree with these in the sense that we've either committed the same evil act or at least thought about it. I wonder is it for the good deeds that our brother commits that we tear him apart (metaphorically speaking). While considering that, ponder the reason behind the Death of Abel (Gen 4). Cain hated and killed his brother because of the good that he did and not due to some evil act.

"Fellowship is the sharing of the divine life and communion of the father and the Son"
R.W. Orr

Well said Mr. Orr. In my own words I would add ; Discipleship is modeling the divine life by sincerely loving the Father, the Son, and one another.

Passion Reborn?

When I consider how my life is spent
The most that I can do will be to prove 'Tis by his side, each day, I seek to move.
To higher, nobler things my mind is bent
Thus giving my strength, which God has lent, I strive some needy souls' unrest to soothe
Lest they the path of righteousness shall lose.
Through fault of mine, my Maker to present.
If I should fail to show them of their need
How could I hope to meet him, face to face, Or give a just account of all my ways
In thought of mind, in word, and in each deed
My life must prove the power of His Grace By every action through my living days
----Nelle Reagan (God and Ronald Reagan pg 48)

Nelle most likely re-wrote this from John Milton's poem as it seems to have a similar beginning.

She went on to say:
"You can be too big for God to use, but you cannot be too small"

Ronald Reagan's mother had a passion for God and "she planted that faith very deeply in me (her son)"

I too want my children to be passionate about the "things of God". This is a challenge for me today. Especially when my own relationship with God, at times, seems to have all the passion of yesterdays oatmeal. I would love to demonstrate to my children how not to be afraid to offend when standing firm against everything worldly, and to never cease from hungering and thirsting for righteousness. How can we hunger and thirst if we have ceased from these pursuits altogether?

We castrate the gelding and bid him be fruitful
--CS Lewis

THE CALL

"Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. "
Mark 2:13-14

It is enlightening to see Levi's response to this call. Notice, when called, Levi didn't make a confession of faith in Jesus, instead Levi responded with immediate obedience--he followed.

Some commentaries I've skimmed over on this section suggest Levi had a prior knowledge of Jesus. The biblical text is silent on this important point as it is also silent on the psychological reasons for this man's or any man's decision to follow Christ. All I know from the text is there was a call by Jesus which was met by immediate obedience on the part of Levi. Whether, Levi had an understanding of who Jesus was prior to the call is simply not known. To this point, Bonhoeffer, with inspired wisdom, makes the statement; "the simple reason behind Levi's immediate following in obedience is Jesus Christ Himself. It is Jesus who called, and because it is Jesus Levi follows at once."

I noted also that Levi was not told where he was going, what he would be doing, or what to bring with him. There was no mention of how long he would be gone. Jesus did not offer how he should follow or in what manner to come after Him. He wasn't told to crawl, walk or run; he simply followed. There was no billboard or neon sign explaining what to do or how to do it. No instructions on the pattern of life he should live while he followed. He simply must follow Jesus.

What a model for us today! Instead of looking for our personal & specific miraculous message from God telling us what to do next, we with immediate obedience blindly follow our Risen Savior.

Growing up, I struggled with pulpit preachers and college professors making such statements without explaining the application. So, here is my "unlicensed" understanding of what it means to follow Christ. It means leaving everything behind you become contented in Christ alone to the point of absolute adherence to God's Son.

"There is an absolute, direct, and unaccountable authority of Jesus. No need of preliminaries and no other consequence but obedience to The Call."

-Dietrich Bonehoeffer "Cost of Discipleship"

(Painting by Casper David Friedrich)

She is 2ft High and I call her Bells

She has curly blond hair that is grouped in misshapen clusters. It is like dozens of tiny bells hanging from her head. I try pushing them up out of her eyes. However, I can't resist ruffling her mess of curls back and forth with the palm of my hand. I love the way her fine silk like hair feels between my fingers. Her pale skin augments her dirty blond hair and her brown eyes are set like jewels in a marble statue.

I see her standing with those tiny lips agape and I ask; "Little girl what wonder has caught you by the toes this time?"

It is her; simply being her.

She reminds me of a person on an expedition; fully equipped and fully funded. In one hand she drags her mother's pocket book to the door saying "bye...see you later....bye" In the other hand my car keys. It is remarkable that she makes it to the door, at all, wearing her mother's shoes and pearls draped over her head.

She loves to climb into small enclosed places in our home. I often find her under a bed, behind a couch, or inside a cabinet drawer. She has a daring and adventurous spirit. She attempts to stand in places a child shouldn't stand and walk were children aren't suppose to walk. She will grab "things" little children are not suppose to grab and run when running is unwarranted, dangerous, or forbidden. I simply love her for those traits. Through my relationship with her I will encourage her to develop her adventourous spirit. Like me, she leaps and then looks.

Sweetheart, if you do not live a dangerous life then why do you need a captain?
Become a person that blindly follows God.

You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful
Psa 16:11

Name that Historical Female

My daughter, Kit, loves to read about historical figures; especially female historical figures. At a loss for whom she should research next, she did a wise and profound thing. She asked me for some ideas.

“Dad, who would be a good historical female for me to study next?”

Of course she would ask me! I am full of such trivia; just wait and see.

“Kit, I’ve got it! I know the perfect person for you to study. I bet you’ve never heard of this historical female!”

(Rule one for Dads (Study of Historical Females):The study must be about a female who is brand new, and has never been studied before. It's even better if she has never been heard of .)

Kit with lots of anticipation replied “Great dad! Who?”

“Well, Kit how about Amelia Earhart”

I said this with an air of haughtiness thinking she wouldn’t have a clue.

Kit, rather anticlimatic, replied “Ok, dad isn’t she the first women to fly across the Atlantic and then

die in an airplane crash?”

(Rule Two for Dads (study of Historical Females): Have a back-up plan!)

“Oh, Ok so you’ve heard of her. Well how about the women who started the Red Cross? hmmm..... I can’t think of her name right now”

To this Kit replied

“Dad, don’t you mean Clara Barton?”

(Rule Number Three for Dads (study of Historical Females): Names are definitely important! Right up there with birthdays and anniversaries)

Wisdom Lost in Knowledge

Endless invention, endless experiment

Brings knowledge of motion, but not stillness;

Knowledge of speech, but not silence;

Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the word.

All our ignorance brings us nearer to death,

But nearness to death no nearer to GOD.

Where is the Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

--T.S. Eliot (Chorus from the Rock)

Christ learned of people by being near them, close to them. It seems to me that Christ was un-interested in the cumulative whole of mankind. Instead he cared, to his core, about the individual. Jesus did not sweep away his time here on earth in solitude nor in discussing the problems of mankind in a church (synagogue). His was an individual ministry spent in personal contact with sinful people.

A counselor may spare no expense in effort attempting to determine the underlying problem with a person. Marriage counselors will try to look past what is initially submitted from the despondent couple and beg the underlying motif to present itself. He will do this in an attempt to discover the root, a person’s principals, and then attempt to transfer a body of knowledge to correct behavioral patterns. It is hoped, if this is done correctly, the marriage can be saved. At the very least you may be deemed fixable! It concerns me that Churches, much like counselors, have rules, often unspoken, for fixing or bringing our behavior within acceptable parameters. Moreover, Christianity is perceived as a transfer of bits of data aimed at fixing the software between our ears.

As I understand it, Jesus did not come to individuals attempting to establish principals for correcting behavior en masse. Instead, with a real heart of compassion, he was interested in the individual. Calling them to follow him not as a pattern for how to live a good life, but to follow him as the Christ. He wants nothing more than what is already presently in us as individuals. You see Jesus taught us that we broken folks have infinite value in the eyes of God.

Apart from Jesus' teaching it is scary to consider what is there; lurking in each of us. A dark and insidious self centered power that simply doesn’t die. Then a brilliant horizon breaks open when I realize that Christ knew this about individuals; about me. He knew it, knows it, and still the worst of humanity has unspeakable value.

A Daughter's Advise to a Nurse

A couple years ago my wife and I took Kit, 6 years old at the time, to our family doctor for a check-up. While there, she was attended by a young nurse. Kit asked the nurse how long would it take today—meaning how long would she be at the doctors office.

The nurse replied "This should only take about 30 minutes".

Kit at this time in her young life did not have a clear concept of time. She simply needed a point of reference which My wife provided,

She said; “Honey, you’ll be here about as long as Dora the Explorer lasts”

Kit immediately understood and relaxed.

The nurse, looking at Kit, said, “You are teaching me to talk to children”

Kit asked, “You don’t have children?”

“No, I would like to have children one day though”

“You could fly to China and adopt” said Kit

“Hmm, Yes, I guess adoption is an option” replied the nurse

Without blinking an eye Kit excitedly replied

“Or, you could pray and wait nine months!”

In the Jungle

This particular video is an attempt to give an insight into my family's sense of humor and nightly dance sessions.

My wife says I'm the hippo & She's the mutt

A Rabbit Trail

It was one of those hot summer days and Kit and I managed to steal away to our favorite swimming pool. Physically as well as metaphorically, we found ourselves alone in the deep-end. I was dangling from the diving board while Kit easily treaded water by my side. Instead of stagnating by the wayside, we were discussing and solving some of life's more "deeper" issues. I count these brief interludes as blessings from God especially since it allows the both of us to connect and bond in a special and lasting way. Among the substance found in our conversation, often expressed through my daughter, there is silliness which I unabashedly admit to. Guilty!

The "teaching moment" took a rabbit trail in the swimming pool and it was my fault.

Kit asked;
“Dad, where did you learn to be a dad?”

I considered her question a moment and replied
“Kit you taught me how to be a dad” as expected my answer surprised her.

“What do you mean? How did I teach you to be a dad?”

“Well sweetheart, it was mostly trial and error. You see when you were born your mother and I were looking for the manual that was supposed to come with you. This manual was to show us how to raise you, feed you, and what to do when you cried. Anyway, we must have left the manual at the hospital because when we got you home we were clueless. There were times we didn’t know what to do with you , so we just left you outside”

Kit rather panicky replied (rightly so) “YOU DID WHAT!!”

Silliness is a path to substance. Is it not!

"Behold, Children are a gift from God" Psa 127:3

A Small Tribute

If you are a soldier; you will understand.

If you are not a soldier; never forget.

A Soldier never will.

John the Baptizer

I recall the morning Kit and I were studying the book of John. Specifically, I was relating the story to her of the day John the Baptist sees Jesus. John announces “behold the lamb of God!”

I stopped the story and asked;

“Kit why did John just call Jesus a Lamb?”

Kit, in her best mimic of an old billie goat, whinnied

“Weeell, I’llll Teeellll Yooouuu”.

During the conversation, Kit asked if she could tell the story, instead of me, of the day John met Jesus. I couldn't wait to hear it. Her account of this story is as follows.

“John the Baptizer (not Baptist but Baptizer) was in the desert and he was shouting. He was shouting so loud and long that all the people that heard him asked, John what are you shouting about?"

According to Kit John’s reply was, “ I am shouting because I know a person who can tie his shoes better than I can, and you’ll know him to because a white bird will land on him”

“As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. “
Luke 3:16

A Mountain Stream & Epic Adventure

Some close friends and I went camping along Wilson Creek in the mountains’ near Boone this past weekend. We actually hiked about 2 miles up a mountain to our site. We camped right along the creek down stream from a scenic water fall. The camp site was near perfect, the weather was comfortably cool and the foliage was incredible in diversity of color. The scenery reminded me of a patch work quilt covering the mountain in shades of gold, red, yellow, green and brown.

We built a fire and cooked beanie weenies and roasted marsh mellows. Later in the afternoon, we swam in the mountain stream and yes it was very cold. The sound of laughter from my younger more adventurous camping friends, already swimming between the scarp face, lured me into the water. The rush of the stream over the slick gently tilting shale rock was perfect for body surfing. The water from these falls often led to a gentle pool in which it was easy to find your self stuck! Inside these areas, the flat bottom rock was indeed very slick, and no bare foot traction was to be gained while fighting the current. In order to get out of these pools we had to completely lie down and swim. I still shiver from the memory, and after a few moments I was laughing just as hard as my younger camper buds.

All was good until the snake.
"No more laughter, no more fun, snakes in the water, time to run" (ahhh that one works...)

Our adventurous spirit was squashed as we flailed, kicked, and clawed our way up the bank, and out of the water at the first sight of that snake! I recall someone, not me, screaming like a little girl.
Ok, our flight mode had kicked in that's all! And besides this was not a gimmick snake. Sometimes people "see things" in the water that "looks" like a snake. Things like; floating twigs, a length of misshapen rope, a ripple in the water all are easily mistaken for these deadly creatures, and this, dear reader, was the real deal. He was pretty too, bright orange with a yellow diamond design down his back...kind of looked like a water moccasin. Pretty darned sure it was venomous 40 footer water snake. Nothing else could've chased me out of the water.

Remind me to tell you of the Epic Battle that ensued with us trying to kill it with mountain size boulders.

To be Found Faithful

In a way, the devotional below reminds me of my on wife who recently became President of Household Affairs. I have watched her grow closer to her saviour, her children, and Me ever since she left the work force. No amount of income could compare to the value she has added to all of our lives by being home.

A Faithful Woman
OS Hillman

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28

She was the "Vice President of Household Affairs" for her entire adult life. She had a husband, four daughters, and one son whom she managed. Her calling was not to the workplace; it was to the home. It was a calling that she fulfilled well. She often went beyond her job description to fulfill menial tasks like sewing clothes for her twin girls, playing dolls, and even playing catch with the only boy in the clan. Things were going along well until midway in life a telephone call came that changed everything. The caller informed her that the love of her life had been killed in an airplane crash. She was in her early 40's, still beautiful, with five kids to raise on her own in spite of the fact that she hadn't worked in the business place for nearly 20 years. The death of her husband removed their steady upper middle-class income, and she was now faced with the greatest test of her life. At her lowest moment, wondering how she was going to make it, she cried out to God. God answered, "Trust Me, Lillian." Those audible words became the strength that she needed to care for her family for the next 40 years. From that moment on, she came to know her Savior personally and shared Him with her family. Her children came to know Him as well. Grandchildren became the recipient of her prayers, and they came to know Him too. She was building an inheritance in Heaven, one prayer at a time, one soul at a time. She never remarried; Christ became her Husband. Whatever wisdom and encouragement has come to you through these devotionals, it is only as a result of one who answered the call to the greatest and most important workplace there is: the home. You can thank my mom, Lillian Hillman, for whatever grace you have gained from these messages throughout the year, because she remained faithful to the call to invest in those she was called to love and serve. "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her."

What Would You Do If You Saw A Lion?

During one of our morning devotions, my daughter and I were discussing the kingdom of heaven in Isaiah 9 and 11. As most healthy Christians, Kit really enjoys talking about heaven. On this particular day, I read the passages that talked about what life in heaven would be like. We focused specifically on the section that says the "lion will lay with the calf and a child will take care of them both".

I was attempting to engage her in the story in order to make this more of a reality for her, so I asked;
“Kit, what would a lion do if it saw a calf today?"

“It would eat him!”

“You're exactly right Kit. Now, what would you do if you saw a lion in our back yard?”

Without a moment’s hesitation Kit replied, “I would run!”

“Me too! Well in heaven, we want have to be afraid of the lion because he will be our friend”

Kit considered this for a moment, I could just see the wheels were turning, and as her face lit up with realization, She replied,
“OOH! I get it. In heaven, Cats won't scratch, birds won't peck, And lobsters won't pinch!”

Strenght in Weakness

I read a short story this morning during my personal devotion. I have pasted it below for consideration.

“A dear friend of mine who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: ‘Rising early one morning,’ he said, ‘I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood. A moment later two of the hounds came over, when the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength.’ So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God. Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God.”

-A. C. Dixon.

Talking Mice, Fire Ants, and A Dragon

I enjoy sharing stories of the conversations that my oldest daughter and I have had over the years. She has a Wonder for Life of near mythological proportions. To hear her speak of Dragon Flies, Fire Ants, and Humming Birds one would think these creatures exist nowhere else in the universe. Her life, at every moment, is a fairy tale filled with fantastic color, talking animals, and invisible friends. In my daughters world; the phoenix rises from the ashes, Cinderalla becomes a queen, the frog becomes a prince, the scrooge becomes a good friend and Pinocchio becomes a real boy. Oh the dreams she dreams! One day she will marry a prince and live in a castle with talking mice and friendly dragons.
“Dad, you can live in the castle too and travel the world with me!”

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow

----Langston Hughes (Dreams)

Dinner with A Scientist

Several years ago Kit, my oldest daughter, and I went out on a date. We went to a movie and then out for pizza--just the two of us. During dinner we had the following conversation:
"Dad, did you know I'm a scientist?"
I replied, "You know, I've heard that about you--that you're a scientist"
"Well dad I've been thinking about the moon. And you know how some scientist think the moon is made out of rock?"
"Yes, you know I've heard that scientist think the moon is made out of rock"
"Well dad, since I'm a scientist too, I don't think the moon is made of rock"
"Really, well what is the moon made of if not out of rock?"
Kit leaned across the table and replied;
"The moon is made of cheese Dad"
"Oh! Well what kind of cheese?"
and in a serious manner she replied,
"Mexico cheese Dad; the moon is made of Mexico Cheese"

Sweetheart you know what the moon is made of and how too keep a smile on dad's face.
When you look up to the sky and see the sun, moon and stars--the whole heavenly creation [do not worship or serve them] for the Lord your God has assigned them to all the people of the world.
Deut 4:19

Favorite Season

My daughter, Kit, often inquires about my favorites. She wants to know what is my favorite sport, favorite hobby, favorite daughter, favorite food, favorite US President, favorite Disney (Princess) character, favorite color, favorite music, favorite teacher, and most other favorite topics her creative mind can develop.

A few days ago she asked me about my favorite season. I have to admit I really enjoy Autumn. The weather begins to cool, the woods have a certain calmness, the earth seems still, and I am reminded of one of my favorite bible verses;

Be still and know that I am God...I will be exalted in the earth.
Psa 46:10