Humility Musings

Well, as is probably apparent, I've been giving a lot of thought to humility the last month. The key for me is the thought from Philippians 2:2-4 with the focus on, "Consider others as more important than yourself."

I have found that by making that a conscious choice throughout the day a real key to living in the Spirit. The most pronounced effect for me has been in the car. By treating other drivers as more important, I have slowed down; left room for others; been much more relaxed than I have ever been in a car. If other drivers act badly towards me, the self-defense/revenge factor evaporates quickly.

I wish I could impress the value and life changing perspective this has given me. It's just something others will have to strive for themselves.

A Happy Birthday to Me

Had a very nice birthday yesterday! It was funny because I had completely forgotten about it given I haven't been tracking the calendar dates lately. Sunday night, Val reminded me much to my surprise.

Got home after work and there were preparations underway. Timmy made homemade Tomato soup. He was so excited to do that for me. Gift giving is one of his love languages for sure. It was quite good! Abby bought a card and modified it with a picture of when she was very young and we were sitting on a beach together. I love her personal touch to her cards. She always puts a lot of thought into them.

Val made a nice dinner and made arrangements to go to the riverwalk in Batavia to have dessert. I didn't know she planned on inviting the Forgilles which was a very nice surprise. I really appreciated the effort on her part. Got a new computer chair from Val's mom and dad. It's very nice and doesn't have the stupid foam on the arms that comes apart in time. Even has by initials monogrammed on the back! The kids got me a massage certificate, YEAH! Val got me some additional weights for my bowflex which I've maxed out on 2 exercises.

Then I got 2 cards and an email from Mom/Dad and siblings. Everyone is so thoughtful and I do appreciate it!
All in all, a very nice day.

1st Nasty Benelovance encounter

Steve and I had our 1st nasty encounter with a homeless person. It was actually someone I had personally helped over a year ago and apparently he did not recall it as he showed no recognition of me.

Anyway, he was given the choice of sitting in our service to receive the $20 we'll give as our one time gift to anyone in need. He was being extremely belligerent and stubborn with Steve who was doing very well being nice. I came in and listened for about 2 minutes of interchange and decided he had the choice of leaving or sitting in. When he acknowledged the choice and said he wasn't sitting in and told him he could go. He gave me FU as a bye-bye; I wished him God's blessing and he left.

A few days later I read this verse from 1Peter 3:8:

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.

That was a nice kiss on the cheek!

Anyway, even a short while ago that would have put me into a state of replaying the scene for a good two days. I can't explain it but I was able to rejoin our worship service and give a lot of my attention to it. Not 100% by any means but still a ton more than I would have in the past. I guess I'm beginning to accept deep down that some people won't change my reaction towards them can be one of forgiveness and there may be no way of changing their attitude other than praying for them. I am praying for this man... I really hope he will see his bitterness, addictions and rage melt away.

Communion Update

A while back I blogged about our church entertaining a change and style on how we celebrate the memorial of the Lord's Supper. As a long history, we celebrated once a year on the date of the Passover. The Elders studied the subject; we had 2 studies on it as a church.

Conclusion as a Church: no unanimity

The reason for this is quite clear, at least to me. While I personally draw the conclusion that the frequency of the early church both in 1 Corinthians 10-11 as well as early church fathers was very frequent. Likely weekly. However, it is also abundantly clear that there is room to draw other conclusions as weight is given to the importance of the early church writings.

What I can't understand is why some who are adamant about one position or the other, won't allow for another possibility given the lack of Biblical explicit references to frequency. In simple terms, why can't we say, "I don't agree with your conclusion, but I agree that you may celebrate as frequently or infrequently as you see fit."

This position implies that if I choose a quarterly, semi-annual or a yearly position, that I will not participate but on those occasions but allow for others to celebrate more often. When the emblems come by, I'm just not going to participate.

My position is that we should respect the other positions and allow the freedom for all the celebrate as they see fit. To force constraints on one side or the other is wrong and frankly involves fear of some kind. Fear is not a gift from God.

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As an aside, there are no plans or thoughts of plans for a weekly celebration. This note is meant for the gossip columnists out there.

Humility Quote

To refuse awards is another way of accepting them with more noise than is normal.
- Peter Ustinov

What is Biblical Meditation?

The word meditation conjures up many different images for Christians depending on what you've been exposed to. If you've only heard things like transcendental or eastern then you've probably have some alarms ringing in your head whenever you hear the word mentioned. But here is the meaning of the word:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=meditation

med·i·ta·tion
1. the act of meditating.
2.continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation.
4.devout religious contemplation or spiritual introspection.

So, in it's simplicity, it's something every Christian needs to be doing in some form or another.

1. Psalm 77:12
   I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
   Psalm 77:11-13 (in Context) Psalm 77 (Whole Chapter)
2. Psalm 119:15
   I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
   Psalm 119:14-16 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter)

Humility - Typical Leader

We may find professors and ministers, evangelists and workers, missionaries and teachers, in whom the gifts of the Spirit are many and manifest, and who are the channels of blessing to multitudes, but of whom, when the testing time comes, or closer intercourse gives fuller knowledge, it is only too painfully manifest that the grace of humility, as an abiding characteristic, is scarce to be seen.

- Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray on Humility

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcwch6r9_0d9r94h

Humility Quote

When we see that humility is something infinitely deeper than contrition, and accept it as our participation in the life of Jesus, we shall begin to learn that humility is our true nobility, and that to prove it in being servants of all is the highest fulfillment of our destiny.

- Andrew Murray

Thankful

Thought I should make a Thanksgiving list:

1. That Jesus was humble and meek.
2. That Jesus is not powerful and avails me of His power.
3. That I have a wife I can and do love, and that she loves me! Go figure why she would.
4. That humility is the most chief virtue.
5. That I finally know that Humility is the most chief virtue.
6. My children are turning out better than I deserve as a father.
7. That I have parents who love me.
8. That I have In-Laws who love me.
9. That I have been given and accepted the role of a servant to all others.
10. That I can cry without feeling unmanly.
11. That tough experiences in life make me stronger spiritually.
12. For more friends than I could have ever dreamed having when I was a teen.
13. That a lot of those friends are very dear to me.
14. For a bad back that makes me sympathetic to other's pain. To be able to give 'good' massages knowing where all those pains are.
    

Blessing #1 of BCC

Well, there were many blessings a BCC but without a doubt, the biggest for me was spending time with Laurie Iannaconne. I've always been attracted to older Christians who have been through many and varied expereinces. Laurie is no exception here. He not only offers a humble spirit but a significantly diverse Christian background which in my estimation is most valuable. Spending time with Him and Faye instantly brings the Holy Spirit to the foreground of thought AND puts me in a mindset to stretch my comfort zone.

The highlight was a discussion that we had along with my Dad, Ron Frye, my sister Donna and later Eric had about Hebrews 6. I had asked to discuss this with him and the bottom line is it is easy to see that this chapter is dealing with the mature Christian (tasted the powers of the world to come.) I personally can't recall any Christian who measured up to this and later fell away. I'm not saying it hasn't happened but those who I know who have wandered away have not met this measure of maturity.

Nicely Busy

There have been 2 fairly major items during the last 2 months that have been filling my time. One I'm not ready to share publicly for a while as it's a sensitive subject. The second was getting ready for the Berean Christian Conference held June 30-July 7. I had a study and a Sermon there to prepare for.