Harem Husbands, There is Hope

Covenant is a serious matter. I believe in covenants, because they remind us of the value of commitment. Without commitment, we would have no reason to believe anything anyone tells us.

An example of a covenant is marriage. I promise to her and she promises to me to be faithful and grow together with mutual goals as one in this life.

Another example of covenant is the covenant made to a denomination as a leader who promises to commit his or herself to that denomination and spend life together as one.

Now, let’s say that we make this promise to be faithful to one another as we are joined by a covenant. And on the honeymoon we find that our covenant partner is already married to something else.

We walk into the bedroom (metaphorically speaking) and there on the bed, spread out for all to see, is the covenant partner’s first love—Traditions!

This is not unlike getting married and finding your new bride’s other husband and children have joined you for the honeymoon.

So, you learn that she doesn’t actually have any interest in what you bring to the marriage. She married you because her family has outgrown her ability to care for it and she needs you to help baby-sit her 50-year-old kids.

So, do we stay married? Nope! Not in a real marriage.

Is a denominational covenant any different? Perhaps...but survival will require some new ground rules for realizing, appreciating, and using the gifts and abilities that the “Harem Husband” brings into the marriage. Unless this happens, the new husband will feel used and worthless.

Forever learning,
Johnny

How Do I See Others?

"A traveler nearing a great city asked an old man seated by the road, 'What are the people like in this city?'

'What were they like where you came from?' the man asked.
'Horrible,' the traveler reported. 'Mean, untrustworthy, detestable in all respects.'
'Ah,' said the old man, 'you will find them the same in the city ahead.'

Scarcely had the first traveler gone on his way when another stopped to inquire about the people in the city before him. Again the old man asked about the people in the place the traveler has just left.

'They were fine people: honest, industrious, and generous to a fault,' declared the second traveler. 'I was sorry to leave.'

The old man responded, 'That's exactly how you’ll find the people here.'

The way people see others is a reflection of themselves…Your personality comes through when you talk about others and interact with them. Someone who doesn’t know you would be able to tell a lot about who you are based on simple observation."

John Maxwell, "Winning With People" (Nashville: Thomas Nelson , 2004), 7-8.

Every day is a test. We can choose to pass or fail by our choice to encourage or discourage the people around us. Let’s see others in a positive light, thereby casting light on ourselves. Let's see ourselves in a positive light, thereby casting light on others.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Confessing to a Priest (Response to a question from the last blog.)

Priests, in Jesus day, were decedents of Aaron, just as they had been since the time of Aaron who, with Miriam and Moses, led God's people out of Egypt.

Priests were to bring the sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people to the altar. From this practice evolved the modern form of confessing sins to the priest.

After the death of the Messiah, Jesus, the Most High Priest, became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people for all time. We are now able to confess our sins directly to our Savior without mediation between a priest and God. As Paul stated in his first letter to Timothy: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (2:5 NIV)

The priests of today are a mixture between rabbi and priest (teacher and atoner), but this is not a biblical model due to the fact that we are to confess our sins to Jesus who is our holy representative to the throne of God's grace and forgiveness.

Still, it is biblical to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), as we are all members of the priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

Yet, beyond our responsibility to confess daily, there is a very crucial element that must not be overlooked in our desire for God's forgiveness.

In the Talmud, Rabbi Gamaliel Berabbi taught: He who shows mercy to others, mercy is shown to him by Heaven. But he who does not show mercy to others, mercy is not shown to him by Heaven. (Shabbat 151b)

The fact that we are required to offer forgiveness before asking for it is also represented throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Jewish Wesleyans

Based on this ancient "King Parable" taught by first century sages, like Jesus, there is evidence for the legitimacy of Wesleyanism, among the Jews.

From Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus, New Insights From a Hebraic Perspective, written by David Bivin and Roy Blizzard, Jr.

"Rabbi Eliezer said, 'Repent one day before your death.' His disciples asked him, 'But can a man know on what day he will die?' He said, 'So much the more must he repent today. Perhaps he will die tomorrow. It follows that a man should repent every day. Thus in his wisdom Solomon said: 'Let your garments always be white, and let not oil be lacking on your head' [Ecclesiastes 9:8].'"

Forever learning,
Johnny

Blogging Etiquette (It's worth a read)

I thought it would be helpful to share some basic rules of posting onto the Forum of a very popular website called Jerusalemperspective.com. They post these rules as a guideline to help keep the Forum from becoming a place to vent.

I have posted those which I feel are appropriate to blogging for me and those who respond.

Beginning with rule #2:
2. Do not be confrontational. Be polite. Be tactful. Adhere to the Golden Rule.

3. No "flames" (heated messages). Your posts should be constructive. Resist the temptation to "flame" (respond emotionally). If you disagree with something a group member has written, disagree respectfully.

4. Do not troll, that is, attempt to provoke or "get a rise out of" another member.

5. No advertisements.

6. Do not "shout," that is, type in all caps. (even in the subject line). Type in mixed case. Studies have shown that material typed in all caps is more difficult to read.

7. Offensive language will not be tolerated. Posts that contain such language will be deleted. A group member who uses abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, or sexually oriented language will be permanently banned.

8. As a courtesy to other Forum participants, before submitting your post please reread its contents and correct grammatical and spelling mistakes.

9. You can utilize emoticons (smilies) to indicate tone of voice, but use them sparingly. Do not assume that the inclusion of a smiley will wipe out an otherwise insulting comment.

10. If a group member writes to you privately, be careful not to inadvertently post his message to other members of the group.

11. If, in your opinion, a group member has posted something inappropriate, please ask the moderator to remove it. Do not express your reservations to the discussion group. This will only draw more attention to the post in question.

Equally Powerful

From the reading of an incredible book by Marvin R. Wilson, Our Father Abraham, Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, I have learned a powerful truth about God's magnificent creation, which we call "woman."

"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'...So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found." (Genesis 2:18, 20 NIV)

The word "helper", found in this passage of Scripture comes from the original Hebrew word ezer. Ezer is often translated "helper." But according to Hebrew scholars the word actually means "power" or "strength," just as it is used elsewhere in the Hebrew Scriptures.

The phrase "make a helper suitable" in the original Hebrew is, "ezer kenegdo," meaning "a power equal to him," which is found in other ancient Hebrew writings.

This tells us that the woman was not merely created to be the man's "helper," but to be a "powerful partner" with him. She is neither less nor more than he; they are "One Equally Powerful Flesh."

Forever learning,
Johnny

Answering questions concerning the "Building Tax"

As to how much should we give:
That would be based on how many your congregation starts with, assuming you don't yet have a building. With established churches, this practice will take some time to develop. It's like convincing Americans to stop eating cheeseburgers.

The practice of tithing was advocated by the Council of Tours in 567 and the second Council of Macon in 585, and it became obligatory (by law) in the Carolingian empire (in 765). So we've been doing this for a long time.

Implementing this idea would be best for a "NEW" congregation.

You would start by having a house group who would bring 5 or 10 dollars per week to support the ministry. John Wesley started this idea in the early 1700’s, when he required a penny and would pay the penny for anyone who literally couldn’t.

As the small groups grow, you would need to make a decision as to where you will worship corporately.

A group of 1000 people giving $10 each per week would raise $520,000.00 per year. This would be enough to build a chapel and maintain salaries and the building every year, with some left over. My church costs around $200,000 with building and cost of leadership. We could minister to 1000 people on Sunday with 3 services, which is quite common.

Also, it is not uncommon for a "small group" based ministry to grow to 1000 in the course of 3 to 5 years. Patience is required.

With the biblical model of giving, an individual in a church of 1000 could give no more than $15.00 per week to his or her “church” and with all of those people giving the same $15.00 the church would raise over $750,000.00 per year. Therefore, if someone were to ask, “How much do I need to give?” my answer would be, “$15.00 to maintain the place of worship, which will also allow for a $250,000.00 per year “help the poor” fund. Then any giving after that would be up to the giver for helping people in the community and oversees.

There is no reason why a church should require its people to give 10% of their income just to the “church.” There is no biblical justification for a building any longer, but if we choose to have one, then we should be willing to pay a “Building tax.” The Building tax should be something that everyone can pay, just as it was done in biblical times. $10 or $15 is a fair cost in today's economy.

Forever learning,
Johnny

10% Temple Tax

A few weeks ago I posted some info about the fact that tithing was an instruction for farmers and Levites. Farmers/shepherds were to tithe a tenth of their produce and flocks to take care of the Levites who weren't allowed to own land or do other work. The Levites tithed to the priests.

Every male over 20-years-old paid the Temple tax, and everyone was to give to the poor.

With this (VERY BIBLICAL) model it would cost a congregation of 300 people less than $12 dollars a week per person to finance a worship building and leadership with a budget of $200,000.00 per year.

Imagine being a part of a ministry where the leaders say, "Bring $12.00 a week for upkeep and leadership costs. Anything beyond that will be an offering to the poor. We, as a body, can decide where it will go."

With this biblical model, a church of 300 could have a major impact on its community that would never be a burden on the Christians who supported it.

I currently give $70.00 per week. $12.00 of that would go to the upkeep of the church and I could give $58.00 directly to help the needs in my community and to people oversees. If all 300 people were to match that, we would meet the church budget and contribute an additional $904,800.00 to help people in our world.

Currently, with the imposed 10% (unbiblical) temple tax, which an estimated 20% of churchgoers actually contribute, most churches don't make their building and leadership budget and depend on gifts from outside to help the poor.

Imagine if all churches were to take on the biblical model of giving. There would be no need for government funding or community chest funds.

The church could do its job!

Forever learning,Johnny

A New Yoke Is Hard to Hear

Today I taught at the "Center of Hope" on Spratt Street in Charlotte. The people were wonderful. And I was able to share some insights with them that deepened their understanding of the Scriptures.

There was one lady who I noticed had a sense of anger about her the minute she walked in. I placed ten or twelve chairs in a circle and placed a laptop on the chair beside me to use in place of a printed manuscript. This particular woman walked into the room and didn't sit in the circle. Instead, she sat in one of the rows of chairs behind the circle.

I asked her to join us and she did, but immediately asked if she could get up to get something. She came back and sat down after a minute or so.

She was the only person of eleven who challenged me. (The sign of a choleric temperament.) I knew she'd bring on more, and I was prepared to be patient.

Her challenge was to tell me that not believing in ourselves to do what God asks us to do is not arrogance. So, I gently explained: "To tell God, who created me, that he doesn't know me as well as he thinks he does and shouldn't have called me, is to tell the one who made me that he doesn't know what he made." She concurred, but remained stoic.

She never smiled.

About 25 minutes into the teaching, and about 5 minutes before I was finished, she interrupted and said, "I am going to need to leave." Her body language and tone expressed frustration. She wanted everyone to know she had power by challenging, interrupting, sitting in a different place, and, finally, by leaving.

Her intent was to challenge me for control and I realized what was happening.

Shelters are filled with people whose lives are out of their control. Nothing is stable, nothing is predictable, and they have no ability to get a handle on anything. My teaching represented, for me, new insight, for her, one more thing that she was not used to and couldn't control. Her situation was so powerfully negative that she would do anything to have some control, if only to attempt control of everyone's mood.

I silently prayed for her as she left. She must be in tremendous pain.

I'm sure that Jesus must have dealt with a lot of people who were simply unable to listen to his words when he taught of his light yoke. Many people would have walked out on him for interpreting the Scriptures in a way they had never heard.

My experience today gave me a tiny glimpse of the disappointment that Jesus must have felt many times when people refused to see and listen to what he wanted them to understand.

"He who has ears, let him hear." (Matthew 11:15 NIV)

Forever learning,Johnny

Need Acceptance? Must be dirty. Apply within.

My oldest son is experiencing employment for the first time in his life. He also filled out his first job application. I helped him fill it out.

On an application for employment there are a lot of questions that pry into your life to make sure there is no "dirt."

Some questions include:
1. Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
2. Have you ever been convicted of a sex crime?

There is also the "Please list all prior employment." This is so they can check with former employees to get a good idea of your work ethic.

Most of this, mind you, is to find the "dirt." And if they find the dirt, you don't get the job. The employer is depending on you not having any dirt and you are depending on your ability to hide your dirt in order to get your foot in the door.

God uses a completely opposite entry criterion. He says, "Confess your 'dirt' and I'll gladly let you in. If your application is spotless, go back home."

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8 NIV). Have you ever met an employer, a Dad whose daughter you want to marry, or a lender who will say that?

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NIV) Who lets us in their house, their employment, their lives, when we confess all our temptations and sins?

This, I believe, is the importance of community for Christians. If we are going to be Christ to the world, then it is important that we are able to let people in, not in spite of their confessions, but by expecting and encouraging confessions.

Hiding our 'dirt' only prolongs the inability to help or get help cleaning it up.

Remember, we all have dirt.

Some have learned to use makeup and pretend it isn't there, while others have been washed in the shower of forgiveness with support, encouragement, and guidance from God's community.

Isn't it strange that when we tell people our faults, most will keep us out, but God won't let us in until we tell Him our faults?

When we are able to accept people with all their "dirt", we are experiencing godliness.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NIV)

Stop Judging Me!

How many of us have quoted Scripture when we don’t want to be held accountable? “Don’t judge me!” we scream. The meaning of ”not judging” that is used in Scripture has little to do with looking the other way when someone sins.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’” –Jesus (Luke 6:36-38) NIV.

Judging in the context used by Jesus is a reference to “giving people the benefit of the doubt when they hurt you.” It is a direct allusion to Leviticus 19:15, which says, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”

Also keep in mind the Hebrew word for neighbor is “rea,” which means friend and enemy.

The Scripture of Leviticus 19:15 is an instruction from God to judge fairly, giving others the benefit of the doubt, such as when someone hurts you and you say, “He only did that because he was hurting or was angry” as apposed to, “He is a jerk! Hang him.”

The way we judge by giving the benefit of doubt is the way others will judge us. If I am quick to assume the worst in others, then others will be quick to assume the worst in me. However, if I am a person who is quick to assume the best, then others will assume the best in me when I hurt them.

Jesus lived by what he taught while being nailed to a cross, when he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) NIV.

There is a rabbinic saying from the Oral Torah of the Jews, which states, “Judge every person in favorable terms.” (Mishnah, Avot 1:6).

Jesus is a fair judge who looks for a reason to pardon, rather than a reason to punish.

Judge the motives of others in the way you would appreciate being judged.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Sunday Sermons...Why?

By listening to the expressed frustration of many well-intentioned Christians, I have discovered that there are a few who wonder about the purpose of preaching in worship meetings.

Among the complaints, is the thought that preaching is wasted on those who attend worship when it could be used so much more productively in the streets or other venues where there are no Christians. Wasting words on altar calls comes up in these conversations as well.

Perhaps the assumption is that the Holy Spirit gifts people to preach as a means of evangelism only.

It's true that we are called to go and make disciples and preach the Word of God. This is a command to teach God's people and to invite non-Christians to enter the Kingdom.

There is no directive in Scripture for altar calls, but only an invitation to know God's Word and obey Christ through faithful service to Him and others. This is how people enter the Kingdom of God (Community of God).When people accept the “yoke” of the Kingdom, they have entered the Kingdom and are expected to learn from the teacher/preacher how to interpret and apply Christ's teaching.

Altar calls may not be necessary in some worship experiences, in fact they may serve as little more than an annoying, traditional formality, though effective teaching is always the goal when sharing the Word of God with others.

“Others” is not only the lost, but those who walk beside the leader, faithfully seeking knowledge and direction. It seems to me that the call to preach has been misinterpreted as only a call to evangelize.

Evangelism alone is not the intention for teaching or preaching. The model of teaching and preaching is given to us by Jesus and His disciples. They taught as a means of instruction and evangelism. That should be our intention as well, even when the altars aren't filled with the knees of repentance.

Forever learning,
Johnny

How Important is Having a Teacher (Preacher) for Christians?

The following is a response that I posted in somone else's blog and feel should be shared.

Many well-meaning Christians are continuing to experience confusion over the importance of having a teacher.

In the first century A.D., also known as the Second Temple Period, teaching was highly regarded. Sages who taught their interpretation of the Torah, or "yoke," were so appreciated and sought after that every Jew considered it an honor to have a teacher in his or her home.

The most honorable place to be was at the feet of the teacher. This is exactly where we find Mary, as Martha continues to work in Luke 10:39.

Open Airs weren't forced, because the value of hearing the teaching was so high that people would flock to the feet of the teacher. This is why you will often read of teachers of the Torah, Pharisees, et cetera being present when John the Baptist and others are teaching.

Jesus taught in synagogues (gatherings of Jews) and at the Temple just as all Jewish teachers of his time. He also taught in homes, because every home was open to the teachers in Palestine. (Those that weren't open belonged to pagan settlers and Gentiles.)

When preaching and teaching is not valued, it's because the people listening no longer see its relevance for life. The Torah was life for people in the first century. It wasn't religious instruction, but practical, utilitarian, and useful guidance for every aspect of life. Biblical teaching is still to be practical and relevant.

Flippant rants were never a part of Jesus teaching. As someone said to me recently, “In everything you do, reflect Jesus.” Teaching is a serious responsibility and one that requires constant preparation and hard work, along with fervent prayer and a loving presentation.

Preaching is not our privilege from God to bark at His people, but the responsibility and authority to guide them according to His Word.

Forever learning,
Johnny

"Yesterday Ended Last Night"

Over and over, I hear people say, “Why can’t we do the things that we used to do; the things that made The Salvation Army great?”

If The Salvation Army did the things it used to do, then it would be doing things it has never done.

It wasn't past accomplishments, but creative progression that made The Salvation Army a great force for the mission of Christ in its early years.

Today is a new day, with a new song, and a fresh idea. As John Maxwell says, "Yesterday ended last night!"

Let’s not stifle the creative spirit of God’s people. Encourage one another to share ideas and be enthusiastic for one another as we work together to see those ideas suited to God’s will.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Questions I Am Finally Able to Answer

In my studies this week, I have discovered some wonderful answers to questions that I’ve been asking for years. Why didn't my Sunday school teachers ever tell me this stuff? Oh yeah...they didn't know it either.

Question:
Why does Jesus say that there will be those who are standing there today who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming into his kingdom (Matthew, chapter 16)?
Answer:
Jesus called his movement “the Kingdom of Heaven”. To enter the kingdom of Heaven (community of God), you chose to follow Christ and once you become a follower you have entered the Kingdom of Heaven. Death is not the doorway to heaven—faithfully following Christ is. When Christ returns, the Kingdom of God will be in its full glory, until then "the Kingdom of God" moves forward as the followers of Christ waiting on His return.

Question:
Are we supposed to tithe?

Answer:
The instruction to tithe was given to farmers and Levites. They tithed as a form of “Social Security” as their tithes of produce and flocks were used immediately to feed everyone who came to the worship festivals including orphans and widows.

Everyone was to pay the Temple tax, which was a half shekel (not 10 percent of everyone’s income).

Giving to the poor or “Giving Alms” was and is a Biblical mandate that even Jesus preached constantly. This was for all to do and it was and is the opportunity for all followers of Christ to share with those who don’t have. This is what we are to give according to what our hearts tell us to give.

It appears that the church has confused these commands and has created a new Temple tax, which is set at 10 percent of everyone’s income and doesn’t include the Biblical command to give to the poor. Helping the poor is extra!

FINALLY
The question that will blow your mind is the one that I will post soon with more elaboration on the findings. The question is: Why do we worship on Sunday? The answer is sure to threaten the less than solid in faith. It may even convince Chic-Fil-A to close on Saturday and be ready for business Sunday morning.

Forever learning,
Johnny