Do you know God? Or Do you only know about God?

John Calvin wrote, “To know God is to be changed by God; true knowledge of God leads to worship.” The future of the Church is worship.

How do you really know someone?   We may think we know…say…the president of the United States. But do we honestly really know him?   There is much written about him good and bad that causes us to form an opinion about him but the truth of the matter is, unless you can say you have been with him in person and hung around him , you really can’t say you know him. Nevertheless you know about him.

There is much written about God. People make statements in the name of God that are not God at all. Yet we form opinion based on that knowledge about that keeps us from actually seeking to know God.

I had a transformational experience when I was 18 years old.  I was living the life many others were living.  Living at home, working all week at a low paying job only to party on the weekend. I felt my life was going nowhere and in the late 70’s early 80’s prospects for a woman raised in a blue collar city were limited.  I had an encounter with some friends who were going to a Baptist church. They had stopped by to share their faith. I was not receptive; as a matter of fact I mocked and insulted them until they challenged me with this: “Your friends are not your friends but there is one who will stick closer to you than a brother. I later found this in the bible: proverbs 18:24. The first half of this proverb was painfully true and I did not want to admit it. They said Jesus would stick closer to me than a brother. For weeks I resented these words, yet I couldn’t stop thinking about them. One night my “friends” abandoned me to a situation that put me in grave danger. I will fore go the details. I found myself begging God, “if you are really there,  I need you now…” All I can tell you is a peace came over unlike anything I had experienced before. I became acutely aware I was not alone and took a deep breath and made a break for it.   I remember going to the beach that night and crying out into the dark while the waves lapped the shore, “God you are real…you are here.”  For the first time in my life I realized God cared about me and loved me enough to rescue me.  My response was to find a place where I could worship God. I have been a follower ever since.  Knowing God for me is experiential not theory.  Knowing God is to know Grace.  It is to know I am a child with a Parent with whom I belong. It is this true knowledge that led me to worship and has been the source of my strength and has kept me in the faith.

We need to proclaim our experience more than teach theory.     God desires all of us to open our heart so that we can know just how close and connected we are.  May you open your heart to the possibility of knowing God not just knowing about God.

1. What is it that compels someone to seek a community were God is worshiped?
2. Do you think people go to church because they only know about God but hope to find God?
3. What other questions does this raise for you?

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 3,000 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 50 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Tonight I want to focus on Hope and Love which give birth to faith.  Faithful is the attribute ascribed to people who put their trust in God.  How does one find hope; How does one understand love; How does one act on faith if they have not experienced any of these?  I have come to realize love must be experienced to be understood before one can have hope. I believe Love and hope are necessary for one to act on faith.

Now hope is something we all know how to do.   It is not uncommon to hear: “I hope I get ________for Christmas!”;  I hope I get that job… ;I hope my child will get well….; I hope my car will last me another year;  I hope I can pay my bills;   I hope I will find the right person and settle down;  You get my point.  We hope for what we do not already have. (Romans 8:24)   In hope we imagine what it would be like to experience our hopes realized.

Faith is a little different.  Faith is the evidence of things not seen the substance of things hoped for. (Hebrews 11:1)   It is by faith we believe that there is evidence for what we hope will come to pass.

Hope can be a prospect, a vision, something to put out there as a possibility.  But faith sees more than a prospect or a possibility or a vision.  Faith takes those things and goes one step further.  Faith believes that what is hoped for will be fulfilled.      When we have faith in an idea, we must also have the assurance that it will indeed become reality.   For instance: a child hopes for a bicycle for their birthday.  They will imagine themselves getting the bike and riding the bike and dream about going on long trips They might imagine all  their friend going on a bike ride and having a picnic.   In all their  daydreaming they wonder how they can get that bike. Ultimately they will let it be known that they want a bike.  Now the one who “hears” the desire for a bike tells the child you will get that bike for your birthday.   The moment the child hears these words, if they trust the person, hope   becomes much more.  The dream for a bike now  has achieved substance because there is the assurance that a bike will be in their future.  So you can see that hope gives birth to faith when Love and assurance are involved.

For centuries before Jesus entered time from eternity. The People of Israel had been waiting for a Messiah. The one who would deliver them from oppression, the one who would set the world aright?  Where did they get this idea?

God spoke to the Beloved Children through the prophets.  What is a prophet?  A prophet is a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God.  The following are the prophets of the old Testament: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and twelve others.   When we think of the prophets we have to realize that many were not contemporaries.  Combined they delivered Prophecies over a 500 years period. (931-400 B.C).  Then there was 400 years of silence until the birth of Jesus.

Over time many had forgotten but there were many who believed and their faith caused them to remain awake and aware for the coming of Messiah.  When Jesus was born prophecies came to pass in the following: Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”  Those who were expecting the Messiah those who were awake and aware of his coming, indeed recognized him.   Simeon and Anna are the two who did. (Luke 2:22-40)

Jesus was born and was recognized as the Son of God, Immanuel.  This is just the beginning of His story among humanity.   People who hoped in the coming Messiah recognize him because of their faith.  Today we also hope as we look back and believe the words of the prophecies fulfilled. Our faith is exercised when we recognize Jesus truly is the son of God.

We are encouraged by Jesus who said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.” John 20:29.   Many in our world today are not awake or aware of God’s presence among us.  They go through the motions at Christmas time. Caught up in the preparations  unaware that we are the reason Jesus was born, lived, died and rose again.  My prayer is that you  will pause tonight and put your hope in God’s love Gift and allow yourself to witness the evidence that Jesus is indeed Immanuel so that your faith can arise to the wonderful possibilities of your belovedness.    Only then will you truly have a Very Merry Christmas.

Jenny said, “I am tired of being a Christian Butt,”…”What do you mean by that” [he] asked. “I mean,” She replied without hesitation, “I’m tired of having to always qualify the word Christian when I tell people I’m going to Church.  I might as well say I’m radioactive. They get a surprised look on their face and say, “Not you, Jenny. You don’t seem like the Christian type.”   So I find myself throwing in more and more “BUTS” all the time: I’m a Christian But…but…but…Why should I have to explain to people, I’m a Christian, BUT I don’t believe Homosexuals are evil…I’m a Christian BUT I believe women are equal to men…BUT I am concerned about poverty…BUT I care about the earth…BUT I don’t think people who believe differently from me will fry in hell for eternity…” Why is it that the word Christian, which should stand for people of extravagant grace and generosity who are abundantly loving, who are associated with acts of courage, justice, and compassion, has become synonymous with Butthead?”[i]

This excerpt is from the introduction to The Phoenix Affirmations written by Eric Elnes. Over the coming weeks we will be in conversation centered on the 12 Phoenix Affirmations. What may surprise most is that Jesus was not a Christian.  The word Christian means, to be a follower of Christ and it was the Romans who first called His followers by that name.  Jesus said,to love the Lord your God with all your heart all your soul and all your strength and your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22: 37-39) He side if you follow these you will not sin.  Over the coming weeks we will be discussing what it means to Love God, to love self and to love neighbor.  All questions, doubts and concerns are welcome.

THIS WEEK:

Loving God

Affirmation 1: Walking fully in the path of Jesus, without denying the legitimacy of other paths God may provide humanity;  Matthew 11:28-29; John 8:12; John 10:16; Mark 9:40

As Christians, we find spiritual awakening, challenge, growth, and fulfillment in Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. While we have accepted the Path of Jesus as our Path, we do not deny the legitimacy of other paths God may provide humanity. Where possible, we seek lively dialog with those of other faiths for mutual benefit and fellowship.

We affirm that the Path of Jesus is found wherever love of God, neighbor, and self are practiced together. Whether or not the path bears the name of Jesus, such paths bear the identity of Christ.

We confess that we have stepped away from Christ’s Path whenever we have failed to practice love of God, neighbor, and self, or have claimed Christianity is the only way, even as we claim it to be our way.

Join us for the Conversation: Phoenix Rising UCC Wellspring Gathering Wednesday nights 7:00 pm at Dunkin Donuts 15 S. Main Street Haverhill Ma.

  1. Eric Elnes, The Phoenix Affirmations: A New Vision for the Future of Christianity, Jossey-Bass,  ©2006 introduction

Once I heard a story of how Elephants are trained not to run away.  While they are babies they put a giant chain around their ankle. When the elephant is grown only a rope is needed.  The animal is trained into thinking that when they pull away from the rope, it is the old chain from youth.   If they really knew the truth they could just walk away.    All of us go through adversity in various degrees.   Our response to adversity also varies.  Nevertheless, I believe there are two words, two phrases “Why me” and “If only”, that act like the rope used with the elephant.   When adversity comes, most of us respond as though we are unable to overcome it.

I was disabled, unable to walk for over 10 consecutive years of my life.  In the beginning, I could only cry out “why me”.  I felt oppressed, forgotten, trapped and I longed for simple things like, walking again.   I would say “If only”…I could walk, I would go to school.  If only I had people to help me, if only I had money, if only I could drive then I would (fill in the blank).   I lived shackled by these words until I began to accept this state of affairs.   Words are powerful and can shift ones thinking. That is where my faith came in and the Bible.  Jeremiah 29:11Revised Standard Version (RSV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Those words rang loudly in my heart. So much so, I memorized  them and decided to live into this idea.   Not long after, I realized I had stopped saying “why me” and began looking at all I could do, and no longer focused on what I could not.  When I stopped saying “why me” It wasn’t long after that, I was no longer fixated on the “if only”.

Adversity still happened. How I face it made all the difference.  I decided to go back to school and I was going to go and not let anything stop me.   Two years into school I was diagnosed with uterine cancer went through major surgery and rehab.  Ugh!  I again found myself saying “why me” again with the addition of another two word phrase, WHY GOD?  God, if you have a plan and a future for me this is cruel.  I concluded that if I was at the end of my life, I was determined to finish having made a difference.  That determination snuffed out the “Why me”, “Why God” and “If Only”.   Convinced, I didn’t have time to fixate on any of that, I set my sights on finishing. I received my Associate degree in 1999. Not only did I survive, I was commencement speaker and had indeed made a difference.  I had been accepted to Bradford College to finish my Bachelor’s degree and began attending that fall.   Physically I was doing fine. So much so, I decided to go to Italy to study Renaissance art through the school.  It was life changing. Mind you I was still in a wheelchair.  As we prepared to go to Italy, it was announced that Bradford College would close.  UGH! “WHY???…” I finished there a junior. I was accepted to Regis College with my 4.0 I received a presidential scholarship and graduated 2011.   The next few years, I worked hard to walk again went to seminary and began the process to become a minister.

Today, I am the New Pastor of Phoenix Rising UCC.  Not one of us is exempt from Adversity.  Many people believe God exists but there are many that struggle to believe in the Goodness of God because of Adversity.  My experiences and growing edges inform ne that “Trials Are Tool For Which God Fashions Us For Greater Things”. And we have the ability to use adversity as a “stepping stone or stumbling blocks”.    I recall another phrase that empowered me to understand adversity as a stepping stone.   “Fear Freezes life, Faith Thaws it out!” For me, believing I have a future and a hope truly disabled fear in me.   It broke the ropes that held me captive “Why me” and “If only”.  And like a phoenix I have risen above adversity over and over again.   In what ways have “Why me” and “if only: held you captive?   God is a Good God.  We have to make a choice either, let fear keep us frozen in place or arise like the phoenix and let the peace of God rule in your heart.

I was recently asked to think of one or two things that encourage me.   I thought about it. At first I thought, “Does this mean how people encourage me or the world around me or when I do a good job?    I thought about what it is like to be   encouraged. How it uplifts in positive ways, whether it is a person who affirms me, or when I am out and see an eagle fly over my head or when I am successful with a finished project.  I was determined to find the fullest meaning possible. This meant asking questions.  Why do we need it?  What is it like when we don’t experience it?  Why do we sometimes reject encouragement? Then I thought what does encouragement actually mean? So I looked it up.

Encouragement: “the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.”  I sat with this and as I looked closely at the word itself I realized the word :courage” is nestled in between En-&- ment. So I looked up the word Courage: “the ability to do something that frightens one and or to find strength in the face of pain or grief.” This led me to  think about dis-courage which mean: “to cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm.”

I thought about this for several days.  Another interesting thing that emerged is that encouragement and Discouragement are verbs. The word courage is actually a noun.  I started to imagine courage as  a container. That can be filled and emptied.

My nephew is a junior in college and I recently visited him there.  We went to supper.  A few weeks before at my Ordination he was a most gracious host.  Later, several people let me know what a wonderful kind Gentleman he had become. As I was driving up to see him I looked forward to sharing this.  At the Restaurant, I told him what a friend or two had told me and how proud I was of him.  He had to overcome many challenges and obstacles yet managed to use them as stepping stones not stumbling blocks.  As I spoke these words to him he began to sit up straighter in his chair and listen intently.  I could see in his eyes that something good was happening to his soul.   A little later, he began to share that he had slept in that morning and missed two classes which caused him to really be down on himself.  He said it happens around this time every semester. I smiled and said yes it is the infamous midterm slump.  I encouraged him saying every semester is like a marathon and you’re at heartbreak hill. You can make it!!!!! Then I     So I shared my thoughts on encouragement and courage being a vessel that can be filled or poured out.   I said encouragement is like thirst quenching water while discouragement takes it all away.   He was astonished as he had never heard anything like that and in that moment it made sense to him.  He realized he had been discouraging himself and that is why he felt so awful and wanted to quit. He got that encouragement fortifies courage and discouragement takes it away.   Encouragement had  quenched a thirst, giving him assurance and affirmation.  This in turn renewed his confidence allowing him to rise up and out of discouragement renewing his purpose and intent and stay the course.

There is a verse in the Holy Bible that says:  “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another to good works.”  Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

So if you feel discouraged, I would encourage you to think of someone who has blessed you, supported you, helped you and write to them or call and let them know what they mean to you. The gift of encouragement that you give them may be just what they needed to quench their thirst and fill their vessel of courage.   And in turn you will also experience its wonderful thirst quenching properties.   Imagine how  relationships could  be transformed simply by words of encouragement.