Biblical Christianity from Peter DeHaan

Mowing Lawn and Theology

God Hears Us When We Pray

Many years ago my dad gave me his twelve-year-old riding lawnmower. “If you’re careful,” he advised, “you might get a couple more years out of it.

The first time I used it, I prayed. I thanked God for his provision and for my parents’ generosity. I asked God to keep the mower running. Most every time I mowed lawn since then, I repeated that prayer.

With my prayers, regular maintenance, and a few repairs along the way, the mower kept running—for another fifteen years.

When my friend moved, he sold me his riding mower for a great price, and I retired my faithful, worn out one.

Out of habit, I continued praying when I mowed lawn, thanking God for his provision and my friend. I’d ask God to keep the mower running.

That was ten years ago. With my prayers, regular maintenance, and a few repairs along the way, the mower has kept running.

Last week I was in a hurry when I mowed lawn. I forgot to pray. After a few minutes, the mower broke, leaving me with a partially groomed lawn.

Fortunately, the repair was easy, and soon I was back on the mower, praying as I finished my work.

It would be wrong to make an absolute theological conclusion from me forgetting to pray and having my lawnmower break, but there is a lesson. God used this to remind me that, “When you pray, I listen.”

Thank you Jesus for this reminder, your provision, and my friend’s generosity. Please keep my mower running.

(In two weeks, I’ll give my lawnmower to my son. If he’s careful, he should get a couple more years out of it.)

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

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Tags prayer

Christian Living

Never Just Say a Quick Prayer

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 6, 2014
2 Comments on Never Just Say a Quick Prayer

Don’t Rush Your Time with God

I cringe whenever someone says, “Let’s just say a quick prayer.”

Prayer is holy communication with the Almighty. It is a hallowed honor that we, as mere human beings, are granted the privilege to experience with the Divine.

I’ve never comprehended why God bothers to listen to us or why he cares about what’s troubling us.

Why does the Creator condescend to the created?

Yet he does.

He wants to hear from us, but not just to ask for things. We can thank him too; we can praise him—even though we often forget.

Prayer is such a sacred act. It’s bad enough when we forget to check in with God or take our communion of words with him for granted.

I think it grieves him even more when we minimize the solemn act of prayer by preceding it with “just.” To “just pray,” trivializes prayer. We need to stop it and treat prayer as serious business.

Equally appalling is when we suggest saying a “quick prayer.” Yes, there are times that warrant short prayers, such as when an out of control car careens our way or when we don’t know what to say in a volatile situation.

We can also breathe our praise for a beautiful sunset, a kindness experienced, or God’s provision for another day.

However, a “quick prayer” generally dishonors God. It implies we don’t have time for him or feel obliged to squeeze in some obligatory words before doing something we think is more important.

What could be more important than connecting with God? Surely, a “quick prayer” distresses him.

Yes, I have said, “Let’s just say a quick prayer,” and I hope to never say it again.

God expects better and deserves more.

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Tags prayer

Bible Insights

Check Out Bible Gateway

The Best Online Scripture Resourse

I’m taking a one-week break in my posts about women in the Bible to talk about a good friend who just had a facelift. I didn’t know this was coming and was shocked when I saw the results. Hardly a recognizable feature remained.

In fact, I panicked: something’s wrong! Even after a few days, I’m still getting used to the new look.

My good friend is not a person, however, but a website: BibleGateway.com.

I use BibleGateway almost every day to research the Bible. I can quickly look up verses in multiple versions, providing insight and clarity.

The New International Version (NIV) is my default version, with supporting help from the New Living Translation (NLT), Contemporary English Version (CEV), Amplified Bible, and The Message.

I also use it to search for words or phrases. This is a great tool to look up verses I somewhat know, such as “What’s the verse that talks about the first who will be last?”

Four verses came up: Matthew 19:30, Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31, and Luke 13:30.

I also use the word search to do word studies, such as how many times is love mentioned in the book of First John?” The answer is 25; only Psalms mentions love more often.

Another example is “How often does the reoccurring metaphor “end of the rope” occur in The Message?”

The answer is ten, six of which are in Psalms. (See my post “At the End of Your Rope.”)

Of course, there are many more resources on BibleGateway, but I use these two daily.

Check out the new BibleGateway. It’s sleek design, elegant look, and new features smartly support the invaluable resource behind this new look.

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Tags Bible

Christian Living

Leave the Lights On

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 1, 2014

Good and Bad Habits

My wife and I have our house for sale. Our realtor advised us to turn on all the lights throughout the house prior to a showing.

The theory is this makes the house more inviting and keeps potential buyers from searching for light switches, possibly in the dark.

Though this makes sense, it so goes against my nature.

As we prepared for our first showing, I dutifully went through the house turning on lights. Then I subconsciously turned half of them off. Even after a second pass, I still turned one off as I walked by the switch.

Realizing I could not be trusted with such an important task, my wife told me to not move as she retraced my route and checked my work.

After multiple showings, I’m finally able to fully accomplish this task, but my wife still feels she should verify my work. In this case it’s probably a good idea.

After spending decades turning off lights to save money and conserve energy, I’ve developed a firm habit of turning off lights—call it a compulsion, a good habit.

I have other good habits, too: exercising, saving money, living in moderation, preparing for the future, maintaining our home and cars, going to bed at a decent time, and so forth. I’m grateful to have these good habits ingrained in me.

I also have a few bad habits, too, but I’m not so aware of them. When I do uncover one, I try to retrain myself. One such area is my tendency to turn on the TV, not to watch a specific show, but to fill time.

Sometimes I do well avoiding this habit and other times, not so much. A

nother is eating because there’s food in front of me, not because I’m hungry. I’m sure there are more.

We all have habits, some good and some not so good.

Let us celebrate and preserve our good habits, just as we seek to discover and correct our bad ones.

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Tags habits

Christian Living

Why Don’t You Go To Church?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 29, 2014
2 Comments on Why Don’t You Go To Church?

Examine Your Reasons for Staying Home on Sunday

Last Sunday I asked the question, Why do you go to church? Today, I ask the opposite question to everyone else: Why don’t you go to church?

Though I’m not in this group, I’ve talked to many who are. They have multiple reasons, some of them good, some of them warranted. Here’s what they say:

I don’t get anything out of it. (In our Western-world culture we approach church with a consumer mindset, looking to get something. What if we went with the goal to give something, be it to God or someone else?)
It’s boring. (The true wording is “I’m bored by it.” The reality is we choose to be bored or seek to be engaged. However, this is far easier to do at some churches than others.)
No one talks to me. (Yeah, this can happen, but we greatly increase the odds of conversation if we’re approachable. Even better, initiate the conversation.)
It’s full of hypocrites. (In one way or another, aren’t we all?)
They don’t talk enough about _____. (Maybe that’s because we’re preoccupied with a certain topic, perspective, or issue; seek balance.)
They talk too much about _____. (Maybe they’re out of balance. Or Perhaps God’s trying to convict you of something.)
All they do is ask for money. (Some churches do a lot of that, too much, in fact. People who go often learn to tune it out, but it can really make visitors squirm. I’m sorry.)
I don’t like the minister. (Yeah, personalities can get in the way, just like in all aspects of life.)
I don’t like the messages. (There may be a reason. Is God trying to tell you something?)
I don’t like their style of music. (Personally I don’t like the music at most churches, but going for entertainment is the wrong reason; sometimes music connects us with God, and sometimes we need to push through the music.)
It’s superficial, full of phony people putting on a false front. (Yes, there are poseurs in our world, including church; just make sure you’re not one of them.)
I’m too busy. (We make time for what matters.)
I don’t experience God’s presence there. (Whose fault is that, the church’s or yours?)

I understand what they’re saying and agree with much of it. Yet I persist in going.

For all its limitations, church is worth the effort.

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Tags church attendance, church baggage

Christian Living

Why Do You Go to Church?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 22, 2014

Reasons People Give for Going to Church

I often wonder why I go to church. Seldom do I come up with a good answer, that is, the real reason why I show up on Sundays. I’m not even sure if I know the theologically correct response.

Here are some reasons I’ve heard over the years:

Because I have to (“my parents make me”)
Because someone expects me to (“my boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/parents expect it”)
Because I’d feel guilty if I didn’t (while guilt can be a powerful motivator, is it ever a good one?)
Out of habit (“it’s just what you do on Sunday morning”)
To be a role model to others (“set a good example for the kids”)
To impress others (“it will be good if my boss/coworkers/neighbors see me there”)
Because God will be mad at me—and may even punish me—if I don’t (they fear God as mean and vindictive, not kind and loving)
To be inspired, motivated, or prepared for another week (can recharging for an hour, really sustain us for seven days?)
To listen to great, powerful music or teaching (doesn’t going merely for what we will receive, reflect a consumerism mentality towards church?)
Because the Bible says to (actually the Bible says to not give “up meeting together,” see Hebrews 10:24-25; it doesn’t say “go to church.”)
To learn about God (listen to a sermon)
To worship God (to sing to God or about him)

The truth is, at one time or another, these have all been my reasons for going to church. In response, someone may quip, “Well, as long as you’re there, that’s what really matters.”

I disagree.

In fact, I wonder if it’s better to stay home for the right reasons, than to go to church for the wrong reasons. Which would God like more? It’s something to contemplate.

As I read the New Testament—striving hard to not look through the lens of my experiences—I see some elements of learning and more so of worship, but mostly I see community.

To hang out with others who follow Jesus, to share life with then, having God at the center.

True community doesn’t happen at most churches. At other churches, community is a side effect. Rarely is community the focus of church. I think it should be.

That’s mostly why I go—even if I’m disappointed when community doesn’t happen.

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Tags church, church attendance, community, denominations

Christian Living

Thank You, Father!

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 15, 2014

Take Time to Show Your Appreciation

Everyone has a dad. Some know their dads and respect them, whereas others don’t. Too many are estranged from their dads, and a few don’t even know who their dads are.

Yet we all have dads. As a result, some people celebrate Father’s Day, others tolerate it, and a few try to ignore it.

Regardless what we think of our biological dads and Dads’ Day, we’ll do even better to turn our attention to our spiritual Father on this Fathers’ Day, our Father in heaven: God the Father.

He is the perfect Dad. He loves us unconditionally, always gives us what’s best, and wants a forever relationship with us.

For some people, seeing God the Father as a perfect Dad is easy. This is because their own dads were such a good model of what it is to be a father.

They weren’t flawless men—for perfection is impossible—but they did succeed far more than they failed, apologized when they messed up, and did anything for their kids.

My dad did a great job, so it’s easy for me to see God the Father as the ultimate dad. It’s easy to love him, for I know his deep, passionate, unending love for me. Thank you Dad, and thank you Father.

Unfortunately, not everyone has this advantage. Some have or had dads with more flaws than not; others had dads who did some terrible things; and a few have no idea what a dad is, let alone a good one. My heart aches for you.

If that is you, I offer this encouragement: despite the flaws and faults of your own dad, I urge you to spend today considering what a ideal one would be like. Realize there is a perfect Father—God the Father.

Maybe you’re not ready to embrace him, perhaps you don’t know how, or possibly you don’t even want to. Yet, ask for his help, that he’ll open your heart, show you how to love, and that you can love him back.

May today be your best Father’s Day celebration ever—and the first of many more.

On this Father’s Day, as we thank our earthly dads, may we even more so honor our Heavenly Father.

Thank you, Dad!

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Tags Father's Day, Heavenly Father

Christian Living

The Car That Cried Wolf

When to Heed Warnings and When Not To

My wife and I were happily driving down the road when her car emitted a system alarm. The displayed show red, so I knew it wasn’t good.

First was an icon of a car on a hoist, implying a need for service. Next I noticed the word brake, suggesting an issue with the brakes.

I tested the brakes and nothing seemed amiss. I continued driving, albeit with care, as Candy pulled out the owner’s manual to learn the extent of the problem.

What she discovered caused great concern: “vehicle electronics failed” and “you cannot continue on your journey; contact your dealer.” The only things I could think of that was brake related and so dire was not enough brake fluid or a ruptured brake line.

It was Sunday, and we were far from the dealer. We had no real option but to continue driving, though I did test the brakes before each red light and allowed ample room to stop.

When we safely returned home, I parked the car, and Candy emailed the dealer.

When the service department finally got back to us, the situation was much less ominous: either the brake pads were worn or the brake pad sensor had malfunctioned.

They said we could continue driving the car, but should have it checked within a couple of weeks.

That’s far different than “you cannot continue your journey.”

So the next time her car beeps and flashes red, I’ll give it far less concern. Even if the warning is genuine, I’ll likely dismiss it, because that’s what happens when a car cries wolf.

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Tags personal

Christian Living

The Four Main Christian Celebrations

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 1, 2014

Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, and Pentecost

Quick, what are the four main Christian holidays?

Well, there’s Christmas and Easter, for sure. Good Friday would make three. But what’s the fourth one? How about Pentecost?

In my experience, Pentecost doesn’t receive much attention compared to the other three, but it should. Consider the progression:

Christmas

Christmas is when the story starts. Jesus comes to earth in physical form, a baby who will grow up and one day deliver us.

Our forefathers in the Old Testament looked forward to that day, anticipating Jesus and what he would do, even though many assumed something other than what God intended.

Celebrate Christmas in a fresh way with The Advent of Jesus. It’s a forty-day devotional that prepares our hearts to celebrate the arrival of Jesus in an engaging read. Begin your Advent journey now and gain a greater sense of wonder for the season.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the first phase in that deliverance. Jesus stepped in as our substitute to take the hit for us, to do the time for our crime, to pay our fine—all so that we could be reconciled with God the Father.

Jesus did this by dying, the highest penalty, the ultimate price. After dying, what more could he give? What more could be required?

Discover more about celebrating Jesus and his passion to save us in Peter’s new book, The Passion of Jesus. It is part of the Holiday Celebration Bible Study Series.

Easter

Easter is the second phase of Jesus’ one-two knockout punch. When Jesus resurrected from death, he proved his mastery over it. Since he overcame death, we have reason to believe he can do the same for us. How amazing; how glorious!

Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and his return to heaven in The Victory of Jesus. The Victory of Jesus is another book in Peter DeHaan’s beloved Holiday Celebration Bible Study Series. Get your copy today.

Pentecost

Pentecost is the conclusion to this story—and the beginning of a new one. Join me in spending this week contemplating the significance of Pentecost. Then, next Sunday, let’s do a better job of celebrating it, not as a footnote to Easter but as its climax.

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Tags holiday, Pentecost

Christian Living

The Wife of Jesus

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 25, 2014

Celebrating the Bride of Christ

Did Jesus have a wife?

The answer is “Yes!” Most assuredly, Jesus had a wife.

However, before you accuse me of heresy, let me admit this is a misleading question, a twist of semantics

Yes, Jesus did have a wife and does have a wife—not a physical, literal wife, but a figurative, spiritual one. All those who follow him (his church) are his bride; he is our bridegroom. Effectively that makes us Jesus’ wife.

While being the wife of Jesus is an awkward—even uncomfortable—metaphor, being the bride of Christ is more familiar. It’s in the Bible.

Consider the implications.

According to ancient practice, a man seeking to marry would provide a dowry for his bride. What dowry did Jesus give?

Jesus offered the ultimate dowry: his life. He died so we wouldn’t have to. He gave his life as a dowry so we could live—live with him forever.

John said the greatest expression of love is to die for someone else. This ultimate dowry of Jesus shows his vast love for us.

The dowry Jesus offered is too great for me to comprehend. It’s the greatest expression of love.

Given the immensity of his dowry and his love, our best response is to love him back and be a faithful wife.

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Tags bride, heresy, Jesus