"Teach Us How to Pray"...Part Three

     The Lord's Prayer suddenly takes a turn of  events. Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray, which I have  come to understand is a type of order and sequence to consider as we approach this God who is now become "Our Father." Now Jesus brings to focus an entirely new train of thought...God's Kingdom! In this phrase He prays, "Thy Kingdom come..." What would this mean to His disciples, to others, to us living today? What exactly is "God's Kingdom" and why is it so important for Jesus to invite His Father's Kingdom to come?...to come where?  

     For His disciples, this may have been a shot of adrenalin. During the time Jesus was teaching on how to pray, many disciples had conferred with one another about a possible revolt by Israel against the rule of the Roman Empire. Those hearing about Jesus thought He might be the One to lead in a revolt, crush the power of Roman occupation, and reinstate Israel as a free country.
     Yet, as time went on, it became clear this was not what Jesus was referring to in reference to this phrase "Thy Kingdom come..." Israel did not free herself from the rule of the Romans and did indeed face a horrible and bloody defeat by the Romans in 70 C.E., including the destruction of the Temple itself in Jerusalem. Many lives were lost and cost Israel dearly.
     So, what was Jesus talking of  when He spoke this particular phrase?  

     Two early Protestant Reformation theologians made some comments referring to this phrase "Thy Kingdom come..." John Calvin wrote this phrase should be read "Let Thy Kingdom arrive," allowing the reader the freedom to grasp the Kingdom of God was coming to mankind, rather than search for it or figure out where this Kingdom might be at. Jesus was not saying this phrase as some sort of treasure map that had secrets if unlocked, nor would it guarantee a great monetary fortune, much like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 
     Then, Martin Luther added to this thought by writing this phrase should be read "Let Your Kingdom come and be established...in me." In Saint Mark 1:15, upon hearing of John the Baptizer's arrest, Jesus makes this announcement. "The time has now arrived! The Kingdom of God is here. It is now the opportune time to change your lives, believe in this Message I share with you, and allow His Kingdom to be established in you!" ( in a Gleaning format)  In Luke 17:20-21 it reads: "Asked by the Pharisees when this Kingdom of God would actually come, He replied to them saying: ' The Kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed on the earth, visible displays, not the signs you are looking for. Nor will people say, Look! Here it is! or See! There it is! For behold, the Kingdom of God is within you, in your hearts, and among you, surrounding you." (Amplified Version).

  As Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray on a hillside just north of the Sea of Galilee, He was again pointing in the same direction He continually did when He chose to become one of us...it was our hearts He was after. It is in our very hearts "Thy Kingdom come..." is to be found, even today.

"Teach Us How to Pray"....Part 2

Jesus starts out teaching His disciples how they are to pray. I don't know if His intention was to have us memorize this particular prayer, I personally think it was a prayer designed in an order that puts our lives in perspective to our relationship with God. Nevertheless, I am okay with the this prayer being repeated in church services as it reminds us how we should pray and the fact this very prayer is a part of the Sacred Scripture
 At the time of this declaration on prayer as taught by Jesus, the first two words changed the entire view of God and how we are to recognize Him. "Our Father" changed the course of Christian history and introduced God in a personal manner, instructing His disciples to now refer to God as "Our Father."
 Father comes from the Greek word "pater", and in the Aramaic language which Jesus is thought to have spoke, the word father is pronounced "Abba." The opening words of this prayer Jesus is introducing also lends itself to another new and totally different train of thought. Jesus did not use "My", rather He chose "Our", leaving one to think we have equal access to this God of the universe just as Jesus has.

 In the culture of Jesus during His time on earth, God was referred to much like we would the founding fathers of our nation. When I speak of men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and even later like Abraham Lincoln, I think of men of this stature as fathers of our nation, but I don't think of them as personal fathers, like they are part of my family bloodlines. These opening words had to have a great effect on His disciples, particularly with the Aramaic word "Abba", which some have translated to be as a young child calling his earthly father "Daddy."
 Yet, our English language is limited to translating words of other cultures and dialects, and when we hear the word "Daddy" in reference to "Abba" we get this visual of a full grown adult crying out to his/her Dad while in a playpen. This is absurd to me and lessens the value of what Jesus is attempting to convey.
 Rather,  Jesus focused on one thing during His time on earth, the conditions of our hearts. As Jesus begins this prayer with the words "Our Father," is He not relating this to a child's heart, in the sense a child is totally dependent, completely trusting, and in submission to the parents? As a child grows in a healthy relationship with his/her parents, the value of a Mom or Dad's opinion on things in life has potential to take precedence over their own thoughts and opinions.
 In the Nicene Creed, a liturgical document recited in mainline protestant denominations, there is a phrase that reads: "the Son, Jesus Christ, is eternally begotten of the Father." As Christ Jesus opens this model prayer for His disciples to understand, "Our Father" conveys the message that their relationship to this God is not tied to a human event like a birthday. Instead, this opening address of God simply reiterates the thought this relationship between humanity and God has always been, designed to be so from the very beginning of time.

 As Jesus continues this prayer and addresses God in this matter, He then states, " who art in Heaven." This leaves no doubt in my mind as to where Our Father resides.
 John Calvin, an early founder of the Presbyterian church, wrote "...this is a clear statement that all things are subject to God's dominions, His power is throughout. Although the Father resides in Heaven, Heaven cannot contain Him." He refers to ll Chronicles 2:6 for a reference to his thought.
 As I think about "Our Father who art in Heaven," I conclude Heaven is the place where all that is meant to be...simply are.

 "Hallowed be Thy Name" are the next words Jesus chooses to use in describing how we are to pray. Hallow is defined as "to be set totally apart." Again, I think the English language is weak trying to explain the full meaning of this phrase. God is to be recognized as a power beyond any imagination with the gentleness and sensitivity of a loving father or mother. It becomes an almost opposite train of thought in the English language, God being all-powerful in this universe while at the same time we see Him as "Our Father."
 This phrase conjures up in my own mind the idea God is limitless.  When I consider for example the distance a star is from the earth, it is an almost infinite thought as to how far away a particular star really is. Yet, here by using this phrase it would seem Jesus is painting a mental picture that if we acknowledge Him as far above and set apart from anything else in life, this great God that we are encouraged to call Our Father desires to penetrate our hearts in the same depth as the distance a star is from the earth. I don't think there is a word in any English dictionary that can convey the thought there is no power that can contain the "All-Powerful One."


 A passage of Scripture from the Amplified version reads like this:

" I have seen that everything human has its limits and end, no matter how extensive, noble, or excellent. But Your Commands, they are exceedingly broad and they extend without limits. Even the horizons cannot contain Your Commands!" Psalm 119:96

 In today's world, the idea of fathers and mothers are often tainted with disappointment, bad experiences, abandonment, cruelties of various magnitudes, or some simply have never experienced having a real parent. Jesus had to know this, and knew we would have various thoughts as He began to teach His disciples how to pray.
 Still, He taught this anyway!

"Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallow it be thy Name..." Does it do anything...for you?

"Teach us how to pray!" Part One

Christ Jesus was known by His disciples as a person who took time to pray...consistently. One day, while walking together, they asked Him: "Would You teach us how to pray?"

This prayer Christ Jesus conveyed has become the very anchor of prayer within Christianity. This entire concept of man himself being given specific instruction on how to communicate with God, how to actually talk with Him, how to actually contact Him,  might go down as the greatest discovery known to man. Yet, is it really possible to open the doors of communication with God? It reminds me of a scy-fy movie with humans trying to establish communication with aliens. And in this scenario, in the first century C.E., Christ Jesus comes to us like a magical lost key, an unknown code, a discovery of a secret door in the universe that enables man to not only make contact with God, but to actually speak to Him, with the excitement that this God...will respond!

 As the disciples got to know Jesus during His time here on earth, not only did they notice Jesus praying consistently, it was the very thing they noticed Him doing the most. Yes, there were miracles being performed, confrontations like with the Pharisees which Jesus never back downed, startling conversations that revealed who He is, and teachings that were contrary at times to how man had been taught. Still, almost daily He was always wondering off to a getaway spot, to speak with His Father alone. It was clear to His disciples how important this was to Christ Jesus.
  As His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray like He does, it is the only recorded time in the Sacred Scriptures the disciples collectively asked Jesus "how to do something." As I contemplate this, it makes me wonder of all the questions they could have asked Him as a group, those deep curiosities like "Why do people suffer?" or "Why is there so many religions that teach their way is the only way to God?" Yet, the question they sought most to be answered: "How can we pray like You do? Would You teach us?"

 The Lord's Prayer is found in Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6: 9-13. The prayer recorded in Matthew is a little more familiar to those who have been involved in western Christianity, so I will use this passage to investigate why this prayer has become of such prominence in the Christian faith.
  Keep in mind Matthew's gospel is geared more toward Hebrews who had committed their lives to Christ while Luke wrote with a Gentile heart and conveyed the message of Christ to those outside the Jewish faith.
  For a long time I did not like the Lord's Prayer because I felt it was just a vain repetition to somehow get this big God of the universe to like us, I even prayed to God and said Jesus teaching to the disciples on how to pray backfired, and has become nothing more than a part of "wishful" Christianity. The Lord's Prayer to me was nothing more than reciting a charm that I would see when witches in a movie would speak some magical words and suddenly everything changed. Then one day it came to me: "Do I think it is important to read and understand the Scripture? I thought yes, yes I do. Is the Lord's Prayer a scripture reading? Well, yes, yes it is. So, what is my problem reciting this passage of Scripture?" It created a new understanding to this topic of "The Lord's Prayer."
   
 I am going to take some time and go through this famous prayer: why Jesus said it, what is its purpose, what am I suppose to do with this, and what was His motive behind sharing this with His disciples.

 Here is the setting. Jesus is involved with His "Sermon on the Mount" series. Many historians think this event happened around 30 C.E. They also think He taught them how to pray on a large hill just north of the Sea of Galilee. There was a large gathering there including 5000 men and their families. They had come to hear Jesus speak on a number of issues and Saint Matthew is thought to have recorded this event around 37 C.E. The surrounding hills where Jesus was at is a natural amphitheatre. A test recently was performed in this location and was found a person's voice could carry over 200 yards ( the length of 2 football fields) with such a clarity one would think the one doing the speaking was right next to you.

 Yet Jesus had called His disciples to the side to address the question they had asked Him, and began saying: "Our Father, who is in Heaven...."
  

"Follow Your Dreams"

I have heard this phrase quite frequently in my life. The question is, why do so many of us feel trapped in ourselves filled with broken dreams, ghost towns, and rat ships......

 I think one thing I have learned on this subject is the power within myself to say "No" to the many alternatives I run into on a daily basis. I have found myself at times wanting to further educate myself through various activities via schooling, career advancement, or simply a healthy lifestyle. Yet suddenly I want to drive to a restaurant in a new car I just purchased, order a steak, and celebrate... all these "well meaning and soon to be accomplishments" in one day. Oh, I want to buy a new home and jump on a deal for appliances too!, but that won't be until after I have eaten my steak dinner.

 We live in a day of automation, everything is at our fingertips. Besides, why can't we have everything our heart desires...now! It's the American way, the American dream, that is how we do things. Yet, there is an old wise saying: "The more directions you go, the less you travel."
  On the other hand, doesn't the bible itself say: " I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (NIV). Well, no, I don't think that is what it means.
 This particular Scripture verse was taken from Philippians 4:13. But like many of us do these days, we like to read and say these singular verses and use them to support a particular thought or cause we may justify. The truth is, the verses preceding this verse is where Saint Paul explains " I know what it is like to be hungry and to be without, I know what it is like to be full and have plenty. I have learned the secret of true contentment, to be grateful and appreciative within myself regardless of what my present circumstances are." ( a mixture of various translations). 
 There are numerous other Scriptures to support this thought including James who wrote we actually grow (mature spiritually...whether you pronounce it "matchure or maTure" lol, or in I Timothy where he writes "Godliness with contentment is great gain." Even Jesus Himself spoke out seeking His Kingdom first, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33). That being said, the "added unto stuff" is a subject of debate, does that mean bigger homes and newer cars?, or was He referring to something else entirely? Certainly Jesus believes in the American dream?...Right? 

 I have come to the conclusion following your dreams is a sacrifice, a time to focus on a particular passion and follow it through. Often it demands a giving up of luxuries to allow this dream to come to life. There are countless stories of authors, inventors, or those in the medical profession who tell of this road less travelled. 
 A high priority in pursuing dreams should be three fold in my experience in life. First, does your dreams glorify the One who has created you? Second, will it bring benefit to others? Third, does this dream or passion burn within you to the point everything else is secondary?
 Often when one pursues a dream the battles of fear, anxiety, burn-out, and depression ( a want to just give up) often hangs over us like dark clouds as we travel on this journey.
  The pursuing of a dream within you must find friends to support your travel, friends like Courage, Inspiration, and Persistence. Even our physical nature must have check points...Are you still smiling?, have you got to the point where it seems more like a bitter obsession rather than a lifelong dream, or have you welcomed anger as part of this journey and taint the very innocent dream you set out to achieve?

 Dreams are needed, and people need yours! The thing to keep in mind is to remember it is an ongoing process, one must keep in touch with what the motives are in pursuance of what you are attempting to accomplish, and changes are inevitable. Do your homework and research with a heart of objectivity, not allowing your emotions to dictate your decisions. Seek the support of others, that is to say, those who have similar thoughts as you. Identify obstacles you face along the way, allow mistakes (which you will make) to guide you in the right direction, and forgive yourself when you mess up, and forgive others when they offer negative advice with no options to keep going ( this is a key to dreams...be selective who you seek advice from, whether it be objective or constructive criticism (constructive being the key word). 
 Take the time periodically to close your eyes and imagine....I think God likes that! Keep your dream clear and above all...Never, Never give up!
 Franklin D. Roosevelt, a former U.S. president once remarked: " When you get to the end of the rope, tie a knot and hang on."

 Above all, know why you want to fulfill a dream. It's really not about the American dream, it's really not about possessions, it is about....reaching out to others who need to hear and see your dream.
 Some of you have experienced broken dreams and now feel like an empty shell in a lifeless body. You are not alone.
 C.S. Lewis, the great Christian apologist of the twentieth century once wrote: " You are never too old to set another goal or to dream...a new dream!" For all of you that are fans of "Rocky", there is a famous line when it appeared Rocky would lose his fight in the ring. This quote came from his manager standing in the corner of the ring with his hands tightly gripped to the ropes yelling: "Don't go down on me now Rocky!"
 The world needs your dreams, your family needs your dreams, I need your dreams. C.S. Lewis also once wrote: " Jesus Christ did NOT say "Go into all the world and tell the world that everything is quite right." Lewis went on to write: " Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary journey."
 My final thought: Well, once again I have to refer to C.S. Lewis, and this comment of his really had an impact on my dream...the passion of writing. He wrote this when he was actually reading a book of another author and remarked: " He brought me violently face to face with...." And yes! I love it when that happens!"

Go for it!...We are patiently waiting....

This Nation is a Christian nation! Really?

The 4th of July is a time of festivities, a few days off from work, fireworks and food!  We often hear the thoughts on how America has changed and we are no longer a "Christian nation." Well, hold on a minute there, let's take a little closer look at this.....

 My mother used to tell me when I was a small child: " There is no excuse for being intellectually lazy. If you are, then you will become dishonest, to yourself and to others."

 Our Founding Fathers, the people whose hearts have led to the celebration of this event, have been identified by some as a dedicated group of Christians who were committed to establishing a "Christian nation" with Christian principles and avid church goers that would set the United States of America far apart from any other country ever created. So, was this what happened?... What exactly was going on during that time?

 First, our Founding Fathers had heard  from the generation before them the horrors of the "30 Years War" starting in 1618 and lasting until 1648, and how this war had been proclaimed in the name of Christianity. People of the Catholic faith vs. the Protestant faith, killing one another in the name of God. Why? Well, why do most wars start? "Same o same o... for greed and for control. The Roman Catholic Holy Emperor Ferdinand II of Bohemia decided the newly formed Protestant Reformation was going too far and needed addressed. So, in the name Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, along with all the angels, Ferdinand II declared war on those of Protestant belief in order to bring unity to Europe once more....one land ruled by one church leader, that being the Pope. 
  Yet, for the common people of Europe including Sweden, France, Spain, Austria, and particularly Germany, it became 30 years of living hell. The 30 year war, which had begun in 1618 and reached its conclusion in 1648, had literally decimated over 20% of Germany's population alone. There were mercenaries hired to carry out the efforts of both sides. The hideous techniques used to harm others was sickening: women raped regularly by soldiers of either side, disgusting fluids poured down peoples throats to gather information, ropes tied around the head and a lever used to tighten the rope until the cranium of the victim finally collapsed, along with other atrocities that are beyond mention because of the sheer heartless matters they were performed...all these reports had been in the in the minds of...our Founding Fathers. The thought of the perils of declaring a  new nation Christian was very real to them.                                                                                                               

Secondly, our Founding Fathers were children of "The Enlightenment Age" or the "Age of Reason." From the 1620's to 1780 western Europe embraced the concepts of reasoning, analysis, and the importance of individualism to encourage the further development of mankind, as opposed to simply being obedient to the various laws of authority...and this led to the challenges of adhering to the very the laws of God written in the Sacred Scripture.
 Suddenly from the fresh ranks of mainline denominations such as Anglican, Presbyterian, and Congregationalists came entirely new thoughts and new ways of viewing religion, including Christianity. Now men including our Founding Fathers were referring to themselves as Deists or Unitarians, which altered the very core of Christian belief.
  Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin along with other popular Founding Fathers of the day began to reject some of the Christian's faith beliefs that had been accepted for centuries, things like the Trinity, Original Sin, and Atonement. In fact, the whole idea that the Son of God had to come and save mankind was now viewed as very untrue, rather mankind is able to save himself if he would learn the most valuable lesson for all mankind... all  men are created equal and should be treated as equal, the age of humanism was now in full force. The beliefs among a number of the Founding Fathers were we must learn to be tolerant of each other's lives including beliefs. Thomas Jefferson, a strong proponent for Unitarian beliefs wrote in 1786 "No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or beliefs, but that all men shall not be forced to profess, rather by argument able to maintain their opinion in the matter of religion, and that the same shall in no way diminish, enlarge, or effect their capacities." Others around the world were beginning to accept this train of thought or had done so in times past including Leonardo Da Vinci, Napoleon Bonaparte, and later the great American author Mark Twain.

 The religions of Deism and Unitarianism influenced our Founding Fathers including Thomas Paine, who was the primary influence through writing the pamphlet "Common Sense" being published in 1776 to encourage the American colonists the need to separate from England. Up to that very time, many colonists were against seceding from England. Paine did not advocate the Christian faith whatsoever.
 John Adams embraced the beliefs of Unitarianism as did James Madison, the 4th President of the United States.
 In his final days, Thomas Jefferson wrote " I trust there is not a young man living in the United States who will not be Unitarian." 

 "Separation of Church and State" was fought hard by Thomas Jefferson and associates. This started when the new state of Virginia wanted to declare the Anglican (or now Episcopalian church) as the official state religion of Virginia. If this were accomplished, there would be a church tax applied to everyone in Virginia and the tax money would used to fund churches according to the the percentage of people within the state and their denomination affiliation. In Virginia, it was a dominant Anglican people so the brunt of the tax money would go to benefit that particular denomination while the Congregationalists, the Presbyterians, the Baptists and others were left to receive meager amounts. Along with this, the Anglican church could have influence on state levels in reference to the general state of politics and its future.

 In relation to the signers of early American documents such as the Declaration of Independence of 1776, the Articles of Confederation ratified in 1781,  and the Constitution of the United States in 1789, there were a total of 204 signatures.  This included 88 (55%) Anglican, 30 (18%) Presbyterian, and 27 Congregationalists (17%). Yet, 3 of the most popular leaders amidst our Founding Fathers: Thomas Jefferson became a Deist, John Adams became a Unitarian, and Ben Franklin became a Deist. Oh there were 2 of our Founding Fathers who were of the Roman Catholic faith, while another embraced the doctrine of Calvinism.  

  Other thoughts for this period in history were the "secret organizations" like the free masons. George Washington, Nathaniel Hale and numerous other early founders were members of organizations such as these.  

 As far as being a nation of Christians, that I am not so sure. I think our Founding Fathers were wanting every person to have an equal chance regardless of their beliefs. This whole concept was to begin in the grass roots levels of our own families. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson wrote the united States instead of the United States, giving an emphasis to the convictions he shared.
 So what was so big about the Declaration of Independence if it wasn't about becoming a Christian nation? It is explained in the 2nd paragraph what type of nation our Founding Fathers wanted us to become, it reads: " We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

 This then I propose is what makes America great!