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Monday, July 30, 2007


“Lord, Have mercy on me!”

This is the most common use of the word “mercy” (Greek eleeo) in the New Testament. Everywhere Jesus went he had people asking him for mercy. People who were blind, who had leprosy, whose children were demon possessed - they all asked Jesus for “mercy”.

As we continue to look at the “beatitudes” we come to Jesus who says:

Matthew 5:7 (NIV) 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

When I hear the word mercy, I think of Elvis Presley exclaiming “Mercy!” or having “mercy fights” as a kid with my friends. These clearly are not examples of the ‘mercy’ Christ is referring to.

mercy – 1. n. compassion, forbearance, shown by one to another (esp. offender) who is in his power and has no claim to kindness; God’s forbearance and forgiveness of sins.
– The Concise Oxford Dictionary (Oxford University Press: 1989)

Mercy refers to going above and beyond. Doing more than is required. We know that God did much more for us than we deserved. Those healed by Jesus did not request a healing – rather, they asked only for mercy.

In our society we are obsessed with our rights. Few of us like to admit that we are in someone else’s power and therefore at their mercy. We focus on what we deserve rather than what we get. As we look at mercy over the next week, I think it would be good to first look at ourselves and identify the ways we are receiving mercy both from God and others. We need to change our way of thinking about the healings we desire (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) and see them as cries for mercy and not about our rights. We need to recognize each breath as a gift of God’s divine mercy. We need to understand that giving me today my daily bread is no less an act of God’s mercy than forgiving my sins.

This beatitude in a sense is backwards. We have already received mercy and are now called to be merciful. If we want to be merciful to those we serve, to those in our families, to everyone around us, the key is to focus on the undeserved kindness that has been shown to us.

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

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Monday, July 30, 2007 at 2:42 pm · by Neil · in No comments


“Lord, Have mercy on me!”

This is the most common use of the word “mercy” (Greek eleeo) in the New Testament. Everywhere Jesus went he had people asking him for mercy. People who were blind, who had leprosy, whose children were demon possessed - they all asked Jesus for “mercy”.

As we continue to look at the “beatitudes” we come to Jesus who says:

Matthew 5:7 (NIV) 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

When I hear the word mercy, I think of Elvis Presley exclaiming “Mercy!” or having “mercy fights” as a kid with my friends. These clearly are not examples of the ‘mercy’ Christ is referring to.

mercy – 1. n. compassion, forbearance, shown by one to another (esp. offender) who is in his power and has no claim to kindness; God’s forbearance and forgiveness of sins.
– The Concise Oxford Dictionary (Oxford University Press: 1989)

Mercy refers to going above and beyond. Doing more than is required. We know that God did much more for us than we deserved. Those healed by Jesus did not request a healing – rather, they asked only for mercy.

In our society we are obsessed with our rights. Few of us like to admit that we are in someone else’s power and therefore at their mercy. We focus on what we deserve rather than what we get. As we look at mercy over the next week, I think it would be good to first look at ourselves and identify the ways we are receiving mercy both from God and others. We need to change our way of thinking about the healings we desire (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) and see them as cries for mercy and not about our rights. We need to recognize each breath as a gift of God’s divine mercy. We need to understand that giving me today my daily bread is no less an act of God’s mercy than forgiving my sins.

This beatitude in a sense is backwards. We have already received mercy and are now called to be merciful. If we want to be merciful to those we serve, to those in our families, to everyone around us, the key is to focus on the undeserved kindness that has been shown to us.

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

Wednesday, July 25, 2007


What does it mean to ‘seek justice’? Moses, while out in the chariot one day, encounters an Egyptian beating a fellow Hebrew. He becomes so enraged that he kills the Egyptian. Is that justice? Samson, after discovering that his Philistine father-in-law gave his promised wife to another, gathers 300 foxes, ties them together in pairs, sets their tails on fire and releases them in the dry, ripe grain fields. Is that justice? There are Christians, standing outside an abortion clinic with signs – yelling and screaming at the young girls as they enter, that they are killing their babies and God’s judgment will be upon them. Is that justice? Bruce Willis takes matters into his own hands, and though he overcomes the evil terrorists and saves the ‘day’, incredible destruction and death is left in his wake. Is that justice? Celebrities take on a cause and use their celebrity status to bring awareness to the cause of the day but seem to maintain the centre stage for themselves. Is that justice?

We like the idea of justice – especially justice for ourselves. But generally, we have a very poor concept of justice. I’ve been thinking a fair bit about this lately, particularly related to the kind of work we do in our programs and increasingly on the world stage. We desire those with exceptional needs experience justice where before, they had none.

Amos 5:24 says, “But let justice roll down like waters and righteous like an ever-flowing stream”. Hear those words! There is healing and hope in them. Another passage that has been causing a disturbance within my soul is Matthew 12:18 -21. The idea is clearly connected to the “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Justice”.

“BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. :19 HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS. :20 A BATTERED READ HE WILL TO BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY. :21 AND IN HIS NAME GENTILES WILL HOPE”

The ‘how’ of justice in God’s mind is intriguing to me. ‘He will not quarrel, nor cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the street’. This is significantly different than then the images of justice that we seem to have around us. We at CH are involved in bringing justice to others. However, we need to closely examine our methods and the motivations of that justice. Have we accepted the world’s concept of justice (my personal rights, entitlement, what impacts me) or do we emulate the justice of Christ? It’s a trickier question than perhaps we think. I wanting to discover how to 'do justice' Jesus style. That it is not about me, or my opinions, or what I think is important, or what I want to see happen, but, that the focus of that Justice is on those who are the broken reeds, and the smoldering wicks. The gentleness that surrounds Jesus Justice. Are my actions of justice defined by gentleness, that bring hope, courage and benefit to another? I don’t have all the answers of what this ‘Jesus style’ of justice is all about, but I’ve become convinced that I need to discover His “just” way. Read this passage in a different way, which I think God would permit. As well, apply your own personal name.

“BEHOLD, MY SERVANTS, CHRISTIAN HORIZONS, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED; I HAVE PUT MY SPIRIT UPON THEM, AND THEY SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THOSE WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS. :19 THEY WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR THEIR VOICE IN THE STREETS. :20 A BATTERED REED THEY WILL TO BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK THEY WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL THEY LEAD JUSTICE TO VICTORY. :21 AND IN HIS NAME THOSE WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS WILL HOPE”

I don’t know what all this entails – but I’m convinced we’ve got a lot to learn. But I’m excited about the journey. You?


Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil











Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for Justice…pt 2

Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 4:02 pm · by Neil · in No comments


What does it mean to ‘seek justice’? Moses, while out in the chariot one day, encounters an Egyptian beating a fellow Hebrew. He becomes so enraged that he kills the Egyptian. Is that justice? Samson, after discovering that his Philistine father-in-law gave his promised wife to another, gathers 300 foxes, ties them together in pairs, sets their tails on fire and releases them in the dry, ripe grain fields. Is that justice? There are Christians, standing outside an abortion clinic with signs – yelling and screaming at the young girls as they enter, that they are killing their babies and God’s judgment will be upon them. Is that justice? Bruce Willis takes matters into his own hands, and though he overcomes the evil terrorists and saves the ‘day’, incredible destruction and death is left in his wake. Is that justice? Celebrities take on a cause and use their celebrity status to bring awareness to the cause of the day but seem to maintain the centre stage for themselves. Is that justice?

We like the idea of justice – especially justice for ourselves. But generally, we have a very poor concept of justice. I’ve been thinking a fair bit about this lately, particularly related to the kind of work we do in our programs and increasingly on the world stage. We desire those with exceptional needs experience justice where before, they had none.

Amos 5:24 says, “But let justice roll down like waters and righteous like an ever-flowing stream”. Hear those words! There is healing and hope in them. Another passage that has been causing a disturbance within my soul is Matthew 12:18 -21. The idea is clearly connected to the “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Justice”.

“BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. :19 HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS. :20 A BATTERED READ HE WILL TO BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY. :21 AND IN HIS NAME GENTILES WILL HOPE”

The ‘how’ of justice in God’s mind is intriguing to me. ‘He will not quarrel, nor cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the street’. This is significantly different than then the images of justice that we seem to have around us. We at CH are involved in bringing justice to others. However, we need to closely examine our methods and the motivations of that justice. Have we accepted the world’s concept of justice (my personal rights, entitlement, what impacts me) or do we emulate the justice of Christ? It’s a trickier question than perhaps we think. I wanting to discover how to 'do justice' Jesus style. That it is not about me, or my opinions, or what I think is important, or what I want to see happen, but, that the focus of that Justice is on those who are the broken reeds, and the smoldering wicks. The gentleness that surrounds Jesus Justice. Are my actions of justice defined by gentleness, that bring hope, courage and benefit to another? I don’t have all the answers of what this ‘Jesus style’ of justice is all about, but I’ve become convinced that I need to discover His “just” way. Read this passage in a different way, which I think God would permit. As well, apply your own personal name.

“BEHOLD, MY SERVANTS, CHRISTIAN HORIZONS, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED; I HAVE PUT MY SPIRIT UPON THEM, AND THEY SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THOSE WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS. :19 THEY WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR THEIR VOICE IN THE STREETS. :20 A BATTERED REED THEY WILL TO BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK THEY WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL THEY LEAD JUSTICE TO VICTORY. :21 AND IN HIS NAME THOSE WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS WILL HOPE”

I don’t know what all this entails – but I’m convinced we’ve got a lot to learn. But I’m excited about the journey. You?


Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil











Monday, July 23, 2007


Ever been really thirsty? I mean so thirsty that if you didn’t get a drink in the next few minutes you’d die? Probably, most have us have never found ourselves in the middle of the desert – the scorching sun blazing in the sky beating down mercilessly, buzzards circling overhead, numerous encounters with bleached white skulls of cattle. I hear Marty Robbins, the ole cowboy crooner singing in the background:


“Keep a-movin, Dan, dontcha listen to him, Dan

He's a devil, not a man

He spreads the burning sand with water

Dan, can ya see that big, green tree?

here the water's runnin' free

And it's waitin' there for me and you?

Cool, clear, water

Cool, clear, water”


I know, most of you are saying “Marty who?” …I’m old - what can I say. Anyway, all that to say, there have been times in my life when I have been so thirsty that to me, it felt almost as bad as a trip through the desert. I can remember numerous hot, hot summers, when I worked all day on the hay wagon or in the hay mounds – sweating off far more than I was taking in – and then finally finishing and rushing down ahead of the others to grab that icy cold jug of water and feel it flow down my parched, dusty throat. There are few moments of greater satisfaction – “Cool, clear water”. As we turn our attention to this particular beatitude, I am immediately challenged with its intensity: “God blesses those that hunger and thirst for Justice”. Most recognize the translation of “Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness’ so there may be some confusion as to ‘which is the right’. Well, the answer is – both. In our western mind we separate out the ideas of Righteousness (inward, personal, being) and Justice (outward, corporate, doing). The Greek word used is ‘dikaiosune’ – and is typically translated as ‘righteousness’. But, it can equally be translated as Justice. For the ancient Hebrew mind, these concepts also appear inseparable – to be ‘righteous’ person and a ‘just’ person are interchangeable. I have sided here with the New Living Translation which has chosen to use the word justice, rather than righteousness. However, we need to see these two words not as opposing, or different, but like two sides of a coin – both images appear to have different faces, but share the same entity. When we are hungry and thirsty our mind is consumed with the thoughts of food and water. The hungrier and thirstier you become the more urgent the need to find satisfaction. But, we have a context problem – in our part of the world, we don’t fully understand this concept of truly being hungry or thirsty to the point of desperation, satisfaction is always close at hand.

To participate in God’s Kingdom is to become as desperate as the man crawling and dying in desert who would willingly do anything to have that drink of water. He’s so aware of his thirst, knowing that if it is not quenched he will certainly die. Our desire and commitment to Justice is to be like that – all consuming. Over the next few days, we are going to explore this justice idea – and seek to understand what God means when He asks us to ‘to do justice’ (Micah 6:8 NASB).


It’s interesting to note that our pursuit of God is to be the same – as one who is hungry and thirsty. We shouldn’t allow anything else to enter into that quest if we are to truly encounter Him – not family, not spouse, not material possessions, not self. Unfortunately, we often settle for the lesser snack packs on the way, don’t we - those things that for a moment seem to satisfy or distract – or convince us that ‘we only need to go this far’.


Prayer: Father, this day, help to me hear Your Word – help me to know what it means to truly ‘hunger and thirst’ after You.


Anyway, I was just thinking.



Neil

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice.

Monday, July 23, 2007 at 11:50 am · by Neil · in 1 comment


Ever been really thirsty? I mean so thirsty that if you didn’t get a drink in the next few minutes you’d die? Probably, most have us have never found ourselves in the middle of the desert – the scorching sun blazing in the sky beating down mercilessly, buzzards circling overhead, numerous encounters with bleached white skulls of cattle. I hear Marty Robbins, the ole cowboy crooner singing in the background:


“Keep a-movin, Dan, dontcha listen to him, Dan

He's a devil, not a man

He spreads the burning sand with water

Dan, can ya see that big, green tree?

here the water's runnin' free

And it's waitin' there for me and you?

Cool, clear, water

Cool, clear, water”


I know, most of you are saying “Marty who?” …I’m old - what can I say. Anyway, all that to say, there have been times in my life when I have been so thirsty that to me, it felt almost as bad as a trip through the desert. I can remember numerous hot, hot summers, when I worked all day on the hay wagon or in the hay mounds – sweating off far more than I was taking in – and then finally finishing and rushing down ahead of the others to grab that icy cold jug of water and feel it flow down my parched, dusty throat. There are few moments of greater satisfaction – “Cool, clear water”. As we turn our attention to this particular beatitude, I am immediately challenged with its intensity: “God blesses those that hunger and thirst for Justice”. Most recognize the translation of “Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness’ so there may be some confusion as to ‘which is the right’. Well, the answer is – both. In our western mind we separate out the ideas of Righteousness (inward, personal, being) and Justice (outward, corporate, doing). The Greek word used is ‘dikaiosune’ – and is typically translated as ‘righteousness’. But, it can equally be translated as Justice. For the ancient Hebrew mind, these concepts also appear inseparable – to be ‘righteous’ person and a ‘just’ person are interchangeable. I have sided here with the New Living Translation which has chosen to use the word justice, rather than righteousness. However, we need to see these two words not as opposing, or different, but like two sides of a coin – both images appear to have different faces, but share the same entity. When we are hungry and thirsty our mind is consumed with the thoughts of food and water. The hungrier and thirstier you become the more urgent the need to find satisfaction. But, we have a context problem – in our part of the world, we don’t fully understand this concept of truly being hungry or thirsty to the point of desperation, satisfaction is always close at hand.

To participate in God’s Kingdom is to become as desperate as the man crawling and dying in desert who would willingly do anything to have that drink of water. He’s so aware of his thirst, knowing that if it is not quenched he will certainly die. Our desire and commitment to Justice is to be like that – all consuming. Over the next few days, we are going to explore this justice idea – and seek to understand what God means when He asks us to ‘to do justice’ (Micah 6:8 NASB).


It’s interesting to note that our pursuit of God is to be the same – as one who is hungry and thirsty. We shouldn’t allow anything else to enter into that quest if we are to truly encounter Him – not family, not spouse, not material possessions, not self. Unfortunately, we often settle for the lesser snack packs on the way, don’t we - those things that for a moment seem to satisfy or distract – or convince us that ‘we only need to go this far’.


Prayer: Father, this day, help to me hear Your Word – help me to know what it means to truly ‘hunger and thirst’ after You.


Anyway, I was just thinking.



Neil

Thursday, July 19, 2007

As stated in the previous two Blogs, the meek are those who have been ‘bent over by the injustice of the ungodly’. According to Matt. 5:5, it is these afflicted ones who will inherit the earth, much like Israel inherited the Promised Land.

After God delivered the Hebrew people from the slavery afflicted on them by Egypt, He told them to “go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you” (Deut. 4:1). Before Israel had even entered the Promised Land, it was already theirs. God had given it to them, and they only needed to trust God in acquiring it. As Israel took their land from those who occupied it, it was always God that went before them granting them the victory.

Likewise in Matt. 5:5, the meek need only to trust that they will inherit the earth. What is there in all God’s creation that He does not possess? Even now, as the earth is occupied by those who oppress others into meekness, it is only a temporary occupation. God has already given His earth to the meek. They may be ‘bent over by the injustice of the ungodly’ now, but they will one day possess the land that is theirs.

Compare Jesus’ words in Matt. 5:5 to the verses in Psalm 37 that He is alluding to:
Psalm 37:9
For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Psalm 37:11
But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
Psalm 37:29
The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.

Language such as ‘inherit the land’, ‘abundant prosperity’, and ‘live in it forever’, is certainly speaking of more than just acreage. It is speaking about Kingdom; God’s Kingdom. Even this series of 8 Beatitudes in Matthew 5 is introduced in verse 3 and concluded in verse 10 with: “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Consider the plight of those described in the first four beatitudes: ‘poor in spirit, mournful, meek, and famished for justice’. These first four beatitudes are each a type of ‘affliction’, possibly caused or maintained by the injustice of the ungodly.
Being called meek twice (Mt. 11:29; 21:5), Jesus is identified with these first 4 beatitudes, yet He behaved in accordance with the last 4 beatitudes. He was merciful, pure, making peace between God and humanity, and was persecuted for it.

We can all make the claim that we are ‘meek’ and on the receiving end of an injustice. I’ve heard many stories, from getting an undeserved parking ticket to getting victimized out of hundreds of thousands by some fraudulent scam artist. We may very well be verses 3-6: poor in spirit, mournful, meek, and starving for justice; But we are still able to be verses 7-10: merciful, pure, peacekeepers, undoing the affliction of others even at the risk of being further afflicted. Regardless of our various ‘afflictions’, as an ethics professor of mine likes to say, “Its about what we do with what we have.” Or in the words of Jesus: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48).

Perhaps Revelation 21:1-4 better illustrates the point:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling of God is with men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’”

The hope and motivation available to those employed or supported by Christian Horizons may be rooted in the promise of God: “Blessed are the meek (those bent over by the injustice of the ungodly), for they shall inherit the earth.”

My 1.5 cents,

Jamie Hussain

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Part III

Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 2:30 pm · by Neil · in No comments

As stated in the previous two Blogs, the meek are those who have been ‘bent over by the injustice of the ungodly’. According to Matt. 5:5, it is these afflicted ones who will inherit the earth, much like Israel inherited the Promised Land.

After God delivered the Hebrew people from the slavery afflicted on them by Egypt, He told them to “go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you” (Deut. 4:1). Before Israel had even entered the Promised Land, it was already theirs. God had given it to them, and they only needed to trust God in acquiring it. As Israel took their land from those who occupied it, it was always God that went before them granting them the victory.

Likewise in Matt. 5:5, the meek need only to trust that they will inherit the earth. What is there in all God’s creation that He does not possess? Even now, as the earth is occupied by those who oppress others into meekness, it is only a temporary occupation. God has already given His earth to the meek. They may be ‘bent over by the injustice of the ungodly’ now, but they will one day possess the land that is theirs.

Compare Jesus’ words in Matt. 5:5 to the verses in Psalm 37 that He is alluding to:
Psalm 37:9
For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Psalm 37:11
But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
Psalm 37:29
The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.

Language such as ‘inherit the land’, ‘abundant prosperity’, and ‘live in it forever’, is certainly speaking of more than just acreage. It is speaking about Kingdom; God’s Kingdom. Even this series of 8 Beatitudes in Matthew 5 is introduced in verse 3 and concluded in verse 10 with: “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Consider the plight of those described in the first four beatitudes: ‘poor in spirit, mournful, meek, and famished for justice’. These first four beatitudes are each a type of ‘affliction’, possibly caused or maintained by the injustice of the ungodly.
Being called meek twice (Mt. 11:29; 21:5), Jesus is identified with these first 4 beatitudes, yet He behaved in accordance with the last 4 beatitudes. He was merciful, pure, making peace between God and humanity, and was persecuted for it.

We can all make the claim that we are ‘meek’ and on the receiving end of an injustice. I’ve heard many stories, from getting an undeserved parking ticket to getting victimized out of hundreds of thousands by some fraudulent scam artist. We may very well be verses 3-6: poor in spirit, mournful, meek, and starving for justice; But we are still able to be verses 7-10: merciful, pure, peacekeepers, undoing the affliction of others even at the risk of being further afflicted. Regardless of our various ‘afflictions’, as an ethics professor of mine likes to say, “Its about what we do with what we have.” Or in the words of Jesus: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48).

Perhaps Revelation 21:1-4 better illustrates the point:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling of God is with men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’”

The hope and motivation available to those employed or supported by Christian Horizons may be rooted in the promise of God: “Blessed are the meek (those bent over by the injustice of the ungodly), for they shall inherit the earth.”

My 1.5 cents,

Jamie Hussain

Monday, July 16, 2007

As the previous Blog mentioned, ‘meek’ in Matthew 5:5 does not mean ‘submissive, mild and unassertive,’ but the meek are the ones ‘bent over by the injustice of the ungodly’. It is this affliction that calls down the advocacy of God. And it is having the advocacy of God that causes the meek therefore to be blessed. After all, if God is advocating for the meek, who can stand against them? (Rom 8:31).

Luke 5:29-31 (NASB) gives us further insight into these ‘blessed’ and ‘meek’ ones.
“And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?" And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick’.”

It was in the best interest of the Pharisees that the people maintain their socially ‘bent over’ and inferior place, so that they could maintain their socially superior place. Jesus on the other hand wanted to bless these meek individuals, lift them up, and treat them with equity. In fact, sharing a meal with another in that society “implied mutual acceptance” (Walter L. Liefeld, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 8:84).

This ‘mutual acceptance’ with ‘sinners’ should not be understood as Jesus’ lowering Himself in status. Rather, this table fellowship elevated these ‘sinners and tax collectors’ to a social status equal to Jesus and the Pharisees. It would be like royalty joining a commoner for a meal. The royal status is not diminished, but the commoner has been blessed and treated as a worthy and valuable individual. Likewise it would have been an honor and blessing to have such a prominent teacher as Jesus join them for a meal.

Table fellowship is but one way God blesses the meek. The many other ways God ‘blesses’ (or advocates), for these meek that have been ‘bent over by the injustice of the ungodly’ include:

He: - feeds and satisfies them (Ps. 22:26)
- guides and teaches them (Ps. 25:9)
- gives them the earth (Ps. 37:11; Mt. 5:5)
- saves them (Ps. 76:9)
- lifts them up (Ps. 147:6)
- beautifies them (Ps. 149:4)
- treats them with equity (Is. 11:4)
- increases their joy (Is. 29:19)
- brings them good tidings (Is. 61:1)
- hides them from His wrath (Zeph. 2:3)
- finds them very precious (1 Pet. 3:4)

As I discover whom the ‘meek’ are I cannot help but think of those that Christian Horizons serves. Just as the ‘sinners and tax collectors’ in Jesus’ day had been relegated to a second-class, so too people with developmental disabilities in our society have been relegated to a second-class. They are perceived and treated either with disdain or with pity. They are perceived and treated poorly or specially. They are often perceived and treated with anything but equality. Jesus treated the meek with ‘mutual acceptance’.

This above list that describes the different ways God blesses the meek can serve as a guide for those of us who provide direct or indirect support to the individuals Christian Horizons serves. Am I lifting them up? Is my support satisfying to them? Do I increase their joy? Do I find them very precious?

It is through a sincere and mutual acceptance of those who have a less than equal standing in society, that we too, alongside Jesus, can be a blessing to the meek.

My 1.5 cents


Jamie Hussien

Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek,

Monday, July 16, 2007 at 3:29 pm · by Neil · in No comments

As the previous Blog mentioned, ‘meek’ in Matthew 5:5 does not mean ‘submissive, mild and unassertive,’ but the meek are the ones ‘bent over by the injustice of the ungodly’. It is this affliction that calls down the advocacy of God. And it is having the advocacy of God that causes the meek therefore to be blessed. After all, if God is advocating for the meek, who can stand against them? (Rom 8:31).

Luke 5:29-31 (NASB) gives us further insight into these ‘blessed’ and ‘meek’ ones.
“And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?" And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick’.”

It was in the best interest of the Pharisees that the people maintain their socially ‘bent over’ and inferior place, so that they could maintain their socially superior place. Jesus on the other hand wanted to bless these meek individuals, lift them up, and treat them with equity. In fact, sharing a meal with another in that society “implied mutual acceptance” (Walter L. Liefeld, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 8:84).

This ‘mutual acceptance’ with ‘sinners’ should not be understood as Jesus’ lowering Himself in status. Rather, this table fellowship elevated these ‘sinners and tax collectors’ to a social status equal to Jesus and the Pharisees. It would be like royalty joining a commoner for a meal. The royal status is not diminished, but the commoner has been blessed and treated as a worthy and valuable individual. Likewise it would have been an honor and blessing to have such a prominent teacher as Jesus join them for a meal.

Table fellowship is but one way God blesses the meek. The many other ways God ‘blesses’ (or advocates), for these meek that have been ‘bent over by the injustice of the ungodly’ include:

He: - feeds and satisfies them (Ps. 22:26)
- guides and teaches them (Ps. 25:9)
- gives them the earth (Ps. 37:11; Mt. 5:5)
- saves them (Ps. 76:9)
- lifts them up (Ps. 147:6)
- beautifies them (Ps. 149:4)
- treats them with equity (Is. 11:4)
- increases their joy (Is. 29:19)
- brings them good tidings (Is. 61:1)
- hides them from His wrath (Zeph. 2:3)
- finds them very precious (1 Pet. 3:4)

As I discover whom the ‘meek’ are I cannot help but think of those that Christian Horizons serves. Just as the ‘sinners and tax collectors’ in Jesus’ day had been relegated to a second-class, so too people with developmental disabilities in our society have been relegated to a second-class. They are perceived and treated either with disdain or with pity. They are perceived and treated poorly or specially. They are often perceived and treated with anything but equality. Jesus treated the meek with ‘mutual acceptance’.

This above list that describes the different ways God blesses the meek can serve as a guide for those of us who provide direct or indirect support to the individuals Christian Horizons serves. Am I lifting them up? Is my support satisfying to them? Do I increase their joy? Do I find them very precious?

It is through a sincere and mutual acceptance of those who have a less than equal standing in society, that we too, alongside Jesus, can be a blessing to the meek.

My 1.5 cents


Jamie Hussien


Only three people in Scripture are ever called ‘meek’. Moses is called meek once (Num. 12:3), Jesus is called meek twice (Mt. 11:29; 21:5), and those that are ‘Blessed’ are also called meek.

So what does it mean to be meek?

When Jesus speaks these words: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” He is actually quoting explicitly from Psalm 37:11 and implicitly from Isaiah 61:1. In both cases it carries the sense of humility.

The Greek word in Mt. 5:5 that we translate as ‘meek’ is ‘praus’. In many other translations and verses of Scripture, meek is often otherwise rendered as ‘poor’ or ‘afflicted’. In Mt. 5:5 it therefore carries both senses of being humble and of being afflicted. It could be translated as one who has been ‘humbled’ or ‘humiliated’.

So far being meek doesn’t sound all that exciting or enticing or blessed.
So what is so blessed about being humbled?

The key is in the being made poor, humbled, or afflicted. Someone is responsible for the causing of, or sustaining of, people who live a humiliated existence. Active oppression of any kind, by those with the means to oppress, will cause people to be afflicted. Likewise, denying care for the oppressed, by those who have the means to care, actively sustains the afflicted state of the oppressed. The meaning of meek in Mat. 5:5 then, does not mean “submissive, mild and unassertive, but those who are humble in the sense of being oppressed (hence ‘have been humbled’), bent over by the injustice of the ungodly” (Stassen and Gushee, Kingdom Ethics, 40).

In our society, and perhaps in every society around the world, there are those who live in an oppressed and afflicted state. The history of people with developmental disabilities could be described as just that, ‘oppressed and afflicted’. Yet, because they have lived, and are still living an un-liberated quality of life, these are the humbled or meek that Jesus speaks of in Matt. 5:5.

They are ‘Blessed’ because God is on their side.
God anointed Jesus to:
“bring good tidings to the afflicted,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of prison to those who are bound . . .”
- Isaiah 61:1

When I read words like afflicted, brokenhearted, captives, and bound in prison, it immediately conjures up in my mind how people with developmental disabilities have been inhumanly treated in the past. Truly God has been at work in our society closing institutions and opening homes for these meek individuals. They are ‘Blessed’ because God is advocating for them. He is seeking to undo their oppressive state. That’s where we come in.

At the very moment we became a Christian we were grafted into the Body of Christ, anointed by God through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. As such, every Christian everywhere is to:
“bring good tidings to the afflicted,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of prison to those who are bound . . .”
- Isaiah 61:1
Whatever our gifts, whatever our calling, it surely must involve advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, seeking out the oppressed and then seeking to undo their oppression.

My 1.5 cents,

Jamie Hussain.

Note: Jamie is a full time student at McMaster Divinity School. He has worked for a number of years for CH in the Hamilton area. He is presently doing a summer work placement with Pastoral Ministries. He is planning on doing advanced studies in the areas of theology and disabilities.

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

at 9:38 am · by Neil · in No comments


Only three people in Scripture are ever called ‘meek’. Moses is called meek once (Num. 12:3), Jesus is called meek twice (Mt. 11:29; 21:5), and those that are ‘Blessed’ are also called meek.

So what does it mean to be meek?

When Jesus speaks these words: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” He is actually quoting explicitly from Psalm 37:11 and implicitly from Isaiah 61:1. In both cases it carries the sense of humility.

The Greek word in Mt. 5:5 that we translate as ‘meek’ is ‘praus’. In many other translations and verses of Scripture, meek is often otherwise rendered as ‘poor’ or ‘afflicted’. In Mt. 5:5 it therefore carries both senses of being humble and of being afflicted. It could be translated as one who has been ‘humbled’ or ‘humiliated’.

So far being meek doesn’t sound all that exciting or enticing or blessed.
So what is so blessed about being humbled?

The key is in the being made poor, humbled, or afflicted. Someone is responsible for the causing of, or sustaining of, people who live a humiliated existence. Active oppression of any kind, by those with the means to oppress, will cause people to be afflicted. Likewise, denying care for the oppressed, by those who have the means to care, actively sustains the afflicted state of the oppressed. The meaning of meek in Mat. 5:5 then, does not mean “submissive, mild and unassertive, but those who are humble in the sense of being oppressed (hence ‘have been humbled’), bent over by the injustice of the ungodly” (Stassen and Gushee, Kingdom Ethics, 40).

In our society, and perhaps in every society around the world, there are those who live in an oppressed and afflicted state. The history of people with developmental disabilities could be described as just that, ‘oppressed and afflicted’. Yet, because they have lived, and are still living an un-liberated quality of life, these are the humbled or meek that Jesus speaks of in Matt. 5:5.

They are ‘Blessed’ because God is on their side.
God anointed Jesus to:
“bring good tidings to the afflicted,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of prison to those who are bound . . .”
- Isaiah 61:1

When I read words like afflicted, brokenhearted, captives, and bound in prison, it immediately conjures up in my mind how people with developmental disabilities have been inhumanly treated in the past. Truly God has been at work in our society closing institutions and opening homes for these meek individuals. They are ‘Blessed’ because God is advocating for them. He is seeking to undo their oppressive state. That’s where we come in.

At the very moment we became a Christian we were grafted into the Body of Christ, anointed by God through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. As such, every Christian everywhere is to:
“bring good tidings to the afflicted,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of prison to those who are bound . . .”
- Isaiah 61:1
Whatever our gifts, whatever our calling, it surely must involve advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, seeking out the oppressed and then seeking to undo their oppression.

My 1.5 cents,

Jamie Hussain.

Note: Jamie is a full time student at McMaster Divinity School. He has worked for a number of years for CH in the Hamilton area. He is presently doing a summer work placement with Pastoral Ministries. He is planning on doing advanced studies in the areas of theology and disabilities.

Thursday, July 12, 2007


Matthew 5:4 (NIV) 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


Public mourning is something that has died out (no pun intended) in our society. Most people don’t were black armbands anymore. We can’t identify a widow by her clothing. Our mourning has become quite different from that in Jesus day. This is not to say that we don’t mourn. It is just that we generally do it privately. The person who sat beside me on the bus this morning could have recently lost a loved one. I would have no way of knowing. In our culture we find each other’s mourning distasteful. We encourage people to take "personal days" till they get over it?


I have been thinking about how that changes our view of the beatitude. Jesus lived in a culture where mourning was group activity. I keep being drawn to the shortest verse in the Bible. "Jesus wept." John 11:35


John 11 is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. It is an interesting story. Jesus knows right from the start that "This sickness will not end in death" (verse 4). He even tells the disciples, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." (Verse 12). When the disciples don’t get it he tells them "Lazarus is dead" (Verse 14).
So if Jesus knows he is going to raise Lazarus, why does he weep?
John 11:32-35 (NIV) 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. 35 Jesus wept.


I would say most people react one of two ways when they see someone crying. They either flee or they try to get the person to stop crying. In Jesus case, he joins them in mourning. He doesn’t do what most of us would, and say "There, there, stop crying I am going to raise Lazarus". He weeps. I think this is a powerful lesson for anyone who works with people with developmental disabilities or in any ministry. Our first instinct should be to empathize. Empathy needs to precede care. Rather than solving whatever problem the person has we should first come along side them and get in touch with their sorrow. Isn’t that the best way to love them?

Matthew 5:4 (NIV) 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


I find it comforting to know that when I weep, the God of the universe weeps, whether he takes away my problem or not.

Mark Wallace, Manager of Pastoral Supports Christian Horizons.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn

Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 1:40 pm · by Neil · in No comments


Matthew 5:4 (NIV) 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


Public mourning is something that has died out (no pun intended) in our society. Most people don’t were black armbands anymore. We can’t identify a widow by her clothing. Our mourning has become quite different from that in Jesus day. This is not to say that we don’t mourn. It is just that we generally do it privately. The person who sat beside me on the bus this morning could have recently lost a loved one. I would have no way of knowing. In our culture we find each other’s mourning distasteful. We encourage people to take "personal days" till they get over it?


I have been thinking about how that changes our view of the beatitude. Jesus lived in a culture where mourning was group activity. I keep being drawn to the shortest verse in the Bible. "Jesus wept." John 11:35


John 11 is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. It is an interesting story. Jesus knows right from the start that "This sickness will not end in death" (verse 4). He even tells the disciples, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." (Verse 12). When the disciples don’t get it he tells them "Lazarus is dead" (Verse 14).
So if Jesus knows he is going to raise Lazarus, why does he weep?
John 11:32-35 (NIV) 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. 35 Jesus wept.


I would say most people react one of two ways when they see someone crying. They either flee or they try to get the person to stop crying. In Jesus case, he joins them in mourning. He doesn’t do what most of us would, and say "There, there, stop crying I am going to raise Lazarus". He weeps. I think this is a powerful lesson for anyone who works with people with developmental disabilities or in any ministry. Our first instinct should be to empathize. Empathy needs to precede care. Rather than solving whatever problem the person has we should first come along side them and get in touch with their sorrow. Isn’t that the best way to love them?

Matthew 5:4 (NIV) 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


I find it comforting to know that when I weep, the God of the universe weeps, whether he takes away my problem or not.

Mark Wallace, Manager of Pastoral Supports Christian Horizons.

Monday, July 09, 2007


“A good man always finds enough over which to mourn and weep; whether he thinks of himself or of his neighbour, he knows that no one lives here without suffering, and the closer he examines himself the more he grieves.” - Thomas A. Kempis The Imitation of Christ

This week as we continue to look at the “beatitudes” we will be focusing on “blessed are those who mourn”.

Matthew 5:4 (NIV) 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

We could simply take it at face value that God will bless those who mourn by comforting them. That seems the simplest explanation. For example, if we are mourning a loved one it is intensely comforting to know we will see them again. Any problem seems small when we put it, as my mother says, “in the light of eternity”. This week we will look at several aspects of mourning – the first being mourning over our spiritual state.

It is logical that we should view the mourning spoken of in Matthew 5 as spiritual. Being poor in spirit is beyond being poor materially. The beatitudes were ordered for a reason. Poorness in spirit is the first step in a right relationship with God. Mourning over it is the second.

“Religion, according to the Bible, is neither a set of intellectual convictions nor a bundle of emotional feelings, but a compound of both, the former giving birth to the latter.” —Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

In the view of this commentator, mourning is the natural response to the intellectual understanding of our poorness in spirit as compared with God and His holy standard. If we in fact feel we have nothing to offer and our deeds are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) should we not mourn? The comfort then comes from the kingdom of heaven and knowing that though we are worth nothing - God thought us worth dying for.

Even if we can rationally say that we have no regrets for anything in our life, including our mistakes that have made us who we are, emotionally we undoubtedly look back on some moments with embarrassment and shame.

So how does the comfort come?

Psalms 103:12 (NIV) 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

God does not remember our sins. Someday perhaps we will not either. In the mean time, He is giving us that abundant life, little by little replacing our sin nature with the God given one for which we were made. “Joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b).

“No more crying there; we’re goin’ to see the King”.

These are some initial thoughts. If I can see through the tears more will follow.

Mark Wallace

Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn.

Monday, July 09, 2007 at 3:16 pm · by Neil · in No comments


“A good man always finds enough over which to mourn and weep; whether he thinks of himself or of his neighbour, he knows that no one lives here without suffering, and the closer he examines himself the more he grieves.” - Thomas A. Kempis The Imitation of Christ

This week as we continue to look at the “beatitudes” we will be focusing on “blessed are those who mourn”.

Matthew 5:4 (NIV) 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

We could simply take it at face value that God will bless those who mourn by comforting them. That seems the simplest explanation. For example, if we are mourning a loved one it is intensely comforting to know we will see them again. Any problem seems small when we put it, as my mother says, “in the light of eternity”. This week we will look at several aspects of mourning – the first being mourning over our spiritual state.

It is logical that we should view the mourning spoken of in Matthew 5 as spiritual. Being poor in spirit is beyond being poor materially. The beatitudes were ordered for a reason. Poorness in spirit is the first step in a right relationship with God. Mourning over it is the second.

“Religion, according to the Bible, is neither a set of intellectual convictions nor a bundle of emotional feelings, but a compound of both, the former giving birth to the latter.” —Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

In the view of this commentator, mourning is the natural response to the intellectual understanding of our poorness in spirit as compared with God and His holy standard. If we in fact feel we have nothing to offer and our deeds are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) should we not mourn? The comfort then comes from the kingdom of heaven and knowing that though we are worth nothing - God thought us worth dying for.

Even if we can rationally say that we have no regrets for anything in our life, including our mistakes that have made us who we are, emotionally we undoubtedly look back on some moments with embarrassment and shame.

So how does the comfort come?

Psalms 103:12 (NIV) 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

God does not remember our sins. Someday perhaps we will not either. In the mean time, He is giving us that abundant life, little by little replacing our sin nature with the God given one for which we were made. “Joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b).

“No more crying there; we’re goin’ to see the King”.

These are some initial thoughts. If I can see through the tears more will follow.

Mark Wallace

Thursday, July 05, 2007

A few of us in the office ended up have a interesting discussion around the whole idea of ‘becoming nothing’. It’s not that we ‘are’ nothing, and it’s not emptiness as much as it is a filling. The Eastern mystics teach that in order to connect with the eternal consciousness we must ‘become and stay empty or ‘nothing’. With Christianity, we believe that the emptying ourselves of the desire for things, of selfish ambition and of sin nature – creates an openness – which enables more of Christ to fill the void. As we touched on in the earlier Beatitude posting, it a positional revelation that very much effects disability ministries. Whomever we encounter, we come as servants with a definitive task: How do I move this person closer to Christ. As we serve those in our own ministry, we want to serve from this mindset. If I serve from a position of poverty of spirit, I’m not descending to serve a disabled person, but ascending a person in how I serve – whatever that service may be – from practical living to emotional and spiritual supports. In reality, it has very little to do with the ‘diagnosis’ of the other person, and everything to do with my own internal relationship with God. I’m going to state my own momentary opinionated thought here – I’m wondering if we do a dis-service by trying to separate out ‘disability ministries’ - because it is primarily about how we minister to ‘people’ – regardless. We are people serving people in the name of Christ, not a label or a condition. Isn’t this what moves us from being a ‘service provider’ to doing and being a ‘ministry’? The complexity is this, we do need to understand diagnosis’s and the conditions in order to provide responsible supports to the people we serve, but we need to ensure we never let the label precede the person, which is true of any ministry situation.
Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil

What's in a nothing? Matt 5:3

Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 4:02 pm · by Neil · in No comments

A few of us in the office ended up have a interesting discussion around the whole idea of ‘becoming nothing’. It’s not that we ‘are’ nothing, and it’s not emptiness as much as it is a filling. The Eastern mystics teach that in order to connect with the eternal consciousness we must ‘become and stay empty or ‘nothing’. With Christianity, we believe that the emptying ourselves of the desire for things, of selfish ambition and of sin nature – creates an openness – which enables more of Christ to fill the void. As we touched on in the earlier Beatitude posting, it a positional revelation that very much effects disability ministries. Whomever we encounter, we come as servants with a definitive task: How do I move this person closer to Christ. As we serve those in our own ministry, we want to serve from this mindset. If I serve from a position of poverty of spirit, I’m not descending to serve a disabled person, but ascending a person in how I serve – whatever that service may be – from practical living to emotional and spiritual supports. In reality, it has very little to do with the ‘diagnosis’ of the other person, and everything to do with my own internal relationship with God. I’m going to state my own momentary opinionated thought here – I’m wondering if we do a dis-service by trying to separate out ‘disability ministries’ - because it is primarily about how we minister to ‘people’ – regardless. We are people serving people in the name of Christ, not a label or a condition. Isn’t this what moves us from being a ‘service provider’ to doing and being a ‘ministry’? The complexity is this, we do need to understand diagnosis’s and the conditions in order to provide responsible supports to the people we serve, but we need to ensure we never let the label precede the person, which is true of any ministry situation.
Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil

“God Blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (NLT)

We probably better recognize this from the King James “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”

Poor in Spirit – the original language thought behind this is “bent over, afflicted, miserable, in poverty”. Part of our problem here is that we come at this from our own cultural disdain of anything that causes us to be ‘bent over or afflicted’; we despise and reject poverty and weakness. So when we hear God blesses those that are bent over, afflicted, and weak it comes to us as a contradiction. We hear this from our remaining vestiges of Western modernity which was built on the protestant work ethic “God helps those who help themselves” or the American dream that it is an inalienable right to be healthy, wealthy and happy. But in order to maintain this illusion we must distance ourselves from those who we believe must be helped and are far from healthy, wealthy or happy.

This I believe is one of the roots of the problem that prevent a ministry that fully includes those with a disabilities – the cultural derision of what being ‘disabled’ represents. We feel good when we are able to have a ‘charitable response’ – but it still enables me to maintain a safe distance, while still feeling good. We value self-sufficiency – however, Jesus is telling us that we are ‘blessed’ when we become completely dependent.

This verse could be re-written,

Touched and received by God is the one who is completely wrecked and shattered when seeing themselves, because then they are finally ready to participate in the full presence of God Himself.

For many, seeing themselves in this poverty stricken position is difficult – and yet if we are to find God we must reach the reality of our condition. So much of what we surround ourselves with is a mirage – fleeting and while promising to fulfill our thirst leaves us even thirstier – when it is ‘apprehended’ it flows like sand through our fingers.
Our humanity is found in our weakness together – not from positions of strength and power. But here again is where it can get confusing. It’s easy to simply acquiesce to the state of weakness and wallow there – but that is not God’s purpose. It’s a starting point to be sure, however, only a starting point, for God is calling us out of the poverty we find in our own spirit and into the riches and strength of His. It is the process of ‘being made like Him’. Remember, Jesus, (Phil 2):6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness

In God we have all we need to make up the difference, regardless of the mental, physical, psychological, sociological conditions in which we find ourselves. Many condemn this idea of ‘thinking of ourselves as nothing’ as ‘worm theology’. It could be if the everything that was promising to fill us was not Christ Himself. The more I am able to follow the example of Christ and ‘make ourselves nothing’ so that we too are seeking to ‘take on the very nature of a servant’, the more of Christ I am able to be filled with. The more of Christ I am filled with, the more Christ like I become to those about me – no respecter of the illusions of health wealth, position or power – but as I see another, I see as Christ sees, I desire what Christ desires and touches how Christ would touch. “How do I live with this person before me so they might encounter the grace, mercy and healing of the Father.” It changes our perspective, our actions, our attitudes, our behaviours, our character, our very purpose. If that isn’t participating in Heaven, I don’t know what is.

Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit - Matthew 5:3

at 9:54 am · by Neil · in No comments

“God Blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (NLT)

We probably better recognize this from the King James “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”

Poor in Spirit – the original language thought behind this is “bent over, afflicted, miserable, in poverty”. Part of our problem here is that we come at this from our own cultural disdain of anything that causes us to be ‘bent over or afflicted’; we despise and reject poverty and weakness. So when we hear God blesses those that are bent over, afflicted, and weak it comes to us as a contradiction. We hear this from our remaining vestiges of Western modernity which was built on the protestant work ethic “God helps those who help themselves” or the American dream that it is an inalienable right to be healthy, wealthy and happy. But in order to maintain this illusion we must distance ourselves from those who we believe must be helped and are far from healthy, wealthy or happy.

This I believe is one of the roots of the problem that prevent a ministry that fully includes those with a disabilities – the cultural derision of what being ‘disabled’ represents. We feel good when we are able to have a ‘charitable response’ – but it still enables me to maintain a safe distance, while still feeling good. We value self-sufficiency – however, Jesus is telling us that we are ‘blessed’ when we become completely dependent.

This verse could be re-written,

Touched and received by God is the one who is completely wrecked and shattered when seeing themselves, because then they are finally ready to participate in the full presence of God Himself.

For many, seeing themselves in this poverty stricken position is difficult – and yet if we are to find God we must reach the reality of our condition. So much of what we surround ourselves with is a mirage – fleeting and while promising to fulfill our thirst leaves us even thirstier – when it is ‘apprehended’ it flows like sand through our fingers.
Our humanity is found in our weakness together – not from positions of strength and power. But here again is where it can get confusing. It’s easy to simply acquiesce to the state of weakness and wallow there – but that is not God’s purpose. It’s a starting point to be sure, however, only a starting point, for God is calling us out of the poverty we find in our own spirit and into the riches and strength of His. It is the process of ‘being made like Him’. Remember, Jesus, (Phil 2):6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness

In God we have all we need to make up the difference, regardless of the mental, physical, psychological, sociological conditions in which we find ourselves. Many condemn this idea of ‘thinking of ourselves as nothing’ as ‘worm theology’. It could be if the everything that was promising to fill us was not Christ Himself. The more I am able to follow the example of Christ and ‘make ourselves nothing’ so that we too are seeking to ‘take on the very nature of a servant’, the more of Christ I am able to be filled with. The more of Christ I am filled with, the more Christ like I become to those about me – no respecter of the illusions of health wealth, position or power – but as I see another, I see as Christ sees, I desire what Christ desires and touches how Christ would touch. “How do I live with this person before me so they might encounter the grace, mercy and healing of the Father.” It changes our perspective, our actions, our attitudes, our behaviours, our character, our very purpose. If that isn’t participating in Heaven, I don’t know what is.

Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil

Wednesday, July 04, 2007


We’re going to look at the Beatitudes for the next while. Let’s put the experience in context. We see from Matt 4:23-25 that large crowds are following Jesus. Jesus has been preaching all over the region of Galilee and ‘announcing The Good News about the Kingdom’. A significant element of that announcement is that Kingdom of God is accessible. Certainly a portion of the crowd were religious leaders that were trying to find out what the hubbub was all about, and finding fault. But the vast majority of those ‘large crowds’ were persons who felt that they were not worthy – or measure up and were themselves disabled. They had been led to believe that they didn’t belong or fit in the temple and the present religious constructions. However, Jesus didn’t abandon the religious system. He spoke regularly in the synagogues telling them of the new accessible kingdom. This new way was not at the exclusion of the synagogue/church – but Christ’s heart was/is for accessibility to the Kingdom to be ‘through’ them/us. What I find intriguing is that Jesus took it the hillside – he took it to the people creating a revolution of sorts. There’s always danger telling people how things should be, when they are not because it creates ‘unrest’ with the status quo. There is significant power in the ‘ voice of people’ . We see this throughout history – where regular, normal people in the crowd can make a difference.


This past week I was struck with one story where one voice made a powerful impact. I was on a short holiday with my in-laws to Connecticut this past long weekend. My father- in- law is a historian/naturalist (Earl Plato). He is passionate and has written books on the period of the Civil War. So, while in Hartford he just had to stop at the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe. She was a woman living in an age where her voice was not valued (DOB 1811). When Abraham Lincoln met her he said “So you are the little woman who started the Great War.” Harriet wrote a book entitled “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” – and with that book she rocked a country into action against a horrible injustice– a voice that engaged millions of people to stand up in the US and around the world and say “no more!” When asked why she wrote Uncle Tom’s cabin she replied:


“ I wrote what I did because as a woman, as a mother I was oppressed and broken-hearted, with the sorrows and injustice I saw, because as a Christian I felt the dishonor to Christianity - because as a lover of my country I trembled at the coming day of wrath. It is no merit in the sorrowful that they weep, or to the oppressed and smothering that they gasp and struggle, not to me, that I must speak for the oppressed - who cannot speak for themselves.”


I pray that when we hear the message of the accessible Kingdom for the oppressed, broken and disabled, we would not just ‘sit there’ anymore.


(1982, California quoted from www.darwinawards.com) Larry Walters of Los Angeles is one of the few to contend for the Darwin Awards and live to tell the tale. "I have fulfilled my 20-year dream," said Walters, a former truck driver for a company that makes TV commercials. "I'm staying on the ground. I've proved the thing works."
Larry's boyhood dream was to fly. But fates conspired to keep him from his dream. He joined the Air Force, but his poor eyesight disqualified him from the job of pilot. After he was discharged from the military, he sat in his backyard watching jets fly overhead.
He hatched his weather balloon scheme while sitting outside in his "extremely comfortable" Sears lawnchair. He purchased 45 weather balloons from an Army-Navy surplus store, tied them to his tethered lawnchair dubbed the Inspiration I, and filled the 4' diameter balloons with helium. Then he strapped himself into his lawnchair with some sandwiches, Miller Lite, and a pellet gun. He figured he would pop a few of the many balloons when it was time to descend.
Larry's plan was to sever the anchor and lazily float up to a height of about 30 feet above his back yard, where he would enjoy a few hours of flight before coming back down. But things didn't work out quite as Larry planned.
When his friends cut the cord anchoring the lawnchair to his Jeep, he did not float lazily up to 30 feet. Instead, he streaked into the LA sky as if shot from a cannon, pulled by the lift of 42 helium balloons holding 33 cubic feet of helium each. He didn't level off at 100 feet, nor did he level off at 1000 feet. After climbing and climbing, he leveled off at 16,000 feet.
At that height he felt he couldn't risk shooting any of the balloons, lest he unbalance the load and really find himself in trouble. So he stayed there, drifting cold and frightened with his beer and sandwiches, for more than 14 hours. He crossed the primary approach corridor of LAX, where Trans World Airlines and Delta Airlines pilots radioed in reports of the strange sight.
Eventually he gathered the nerve to shoot a few balloons, and slowly descended. The hanging tethers tangled and caught in a power line, blacking out a Long Beach neighborhood for 20 minutes. Larry climbed to safety, where he was arrested by waiting members of the LAPD. As he was led away in handcuffs, a reporter dispatched to cover the daring rescue asked him why he had done it. Larry replied nonchalantly, "A man can't just sit around."
The Federal Aviation Administration was not amused. Safety Inspector Neal Savoy said, "We know he broke some part of the Federal Aviation Act, and as soon as we decide which part it is, a charge will be filed."


We may not want to take Larry’s lead necessarily, but if we want to make change for others “we just can’t sit there”

Anyway, I was just thinking….

Just can't sit there! Matt 5: 1-2

Wednesday, July 04, 2007 at 1:35 pm · by Neil · in 1 comment


We’re going to look at the Beatitudes for the next while. Let’s put the experience in context. We see from Matt 4:23-25 that large crowds are following Jesus. Jesus has been preaching all over the region of Galilee and ‘announcing The Good News about the Kingdom’. A significant element of that announcement is that Kingdom of God is accessible. Certainly a portion of the crowd were religious leaders that were trying to find out what the hubbub was all about, and finding fault. But the vast majority of those ‘large crowds’ were persons who felt that they were not worthy – or measure up and were themselves disabled. They had been led to believe that they didn’t belong or fit in the temple and the present religious constructions. However, Jesus didn’t abandon the religious system. He spoke regularly in the synagogues telling them of the new accessible kingdom. This new way was not at the exclusion of the synagogue/church – but Christ’s heart was/is for accessibility to the Kingdom to be ‘through’ them/us. What I find intriguing is that Jesus took it the hillside – he took it to the people creating a revolution of sorts. There’s always danger telling people how things should be, when they are not because it creates ‘unrest’ with the status quo. There is significant power in the ‘ voice of people’ . We see this throughout history – where regular, normal people in the crowd can make a difference.


This past week I was struck with one story where one voice made a powerful impact. I was on a short holiday with my in-laws to Connecticut this past long weekend. My father- in- law is a historian/naturalist (Earl Plato). He is passionate and has written books on the period of the Civil War. So, while in Hartford he just had to stop at the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe. She was a woman living in an age where her voice was not valued (DOB 1811). When Abraham Lincoln met her he said “So you are the little woman who started the Great War.” Harriet wrote a book entitled “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” – and with that book she rocked a country into action against a horrible injustice– a voice that engaged millions of people to stand up in the US and around the world and say “no more!” When asked why she wrote Uncle Tom’s cabin she replied:


“ I wrote what I did because as a woman, as a mother I was oppressed and broken-hearted, with the sorrows and injustice I saw, because as a Christian I felt the dishonor to Christianity - because as a lover of my country I trembled at the coming day of wrath. It is no merit in the sorrowful that they weep, or to the oppressed and smothering that they gasp and struggle, not to me, that I must speak for the oppressed - who cannot speak for themselves.”


I pray that when we hear the message of the accessible Kingdom for the oppressed, broken and disabled, we would not just ‘sit there’ anymore.


(1982, California quoted from www.darwinawards.com) Larry Walters of Los Angeles is one of the few to contend for the Darwin Awards and live to tell the tale. "I have fulfilled my 20-year dream," said Walters, a former truck driver for a company that makes TV commercials. "I'm staying on the ground. I've proved the thing works."
Larry's boyhood dream was to fly. But fates conspired to keep him from his dream. He joined the Air Force, but his poor eyesight disqualified him from the job of pilot. After he was discharged from the military, he sat in his backyard watching jets fly overhead.
He hatched his weather balloon scheme while sitting outside in his "extremely comfortable" Sears lawnchair. He purchased 45 weather balloons from an Army-Navy surplus store, tied them to his tethered lawnchair dubbed the Inspiration I, and filled the 4' diameter balloons with helium. Then he strapped himself into his lawnchair with some sandwiches, Miller Lite, and a pellet gun. He figured he would pop a few of the many balloons when it was time to descend.
Larry's plan was to sever the anchor and lazily float up to a height of about 30 feet above his back yard, where he would enjoy a few hours of flight before coming back down. But things didn't work out quite as Larry planned.
When his friends cut the cord anchoring the lawnchair to his Jeep, he did not float lazily up to 30 feet. Instead, he streaked into the LA sky as if shot from a cannon, pulled by the lift of 42 helium balloons holding 33 cubic feet of helium each. He didn't level off at 100 feet, nor did he level off at 1000 feet. After climbing and climbing, he leveled off at 16,000 feet.
At that height he felt he couldn't risk shooting any of the balloons, lest he unbalance the load and really find himself in trouble. So he stayed there, drifting cold and frightened with his beer and sandwiches, for more than 14 hours. He crossed the primary approach corridor of LAX, where Trans World Airlines and Delta Airlines pilots radioed in reports of the strange sight.
Eventually he gathered the nerve to shoot a few balloons, and slowly descended. The hanging tethers tangled and caught in a power line, blacking out a Long Beach neighborhood for 20 minutes. Larry climbed to safety, where he was arrested by waiting members of the LAPD. As he was led away in handcuffs, a reporter dispatched to cover the daring rescue asked him why he had done it. Larry replied nonchalantly, "A man can't just sit around."
The Federal Aviation Administration was not amused. Safety Inspector Neal Savoy said, "We know he broke some part of the Federal Aviation Act, and as soon as we decide which part it is, a charge will be filed."


We may not want to take Larry’s lead necessarily, but if we want to make change for others “we just can’t sit there”

Anyway, I was just thinking….

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