Categories
Christian Living

Show Me Your Worship

Two weeks ago, I asked what is worship? I acknowledged that for many people, worshiping God is singing songs to him or about him. To some, worshiping God may be no more watching other people sing.

For me, worshiping is seldom about singing. Raised in a church that exclusively used a pipe organ to play songs that resembled a funeral dirge, I long ago was conditioned to mentally disengage when the music started.

Even though the instruments have been updated to drums and guitars and the plodding hymns have been replaced by upbeat tunes, I still zone out while others are worshiping God via music.

For me, I worship God by serving and helping others.

I’m reminded that Jesus’ brother James, in debating the issue of faith versus good deeds, said, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

I’d like to borrow that thought and restated it to: Show me your worship with music, and I will show you my worship without music.

Thankfully, there are many ways to worship God.

[James 2:18]

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Categories
Christian Living

Life’s Not Fair

What Are You Going to do About It?

How often have you heard someone exclaim, “It’s not fair!”?

This lament seems especially prevalent among children and teens. When this complaint is voiced to their parents, the typical response—be it sage or sadistic—is “Life’s not fair.”

It’s true; life’s not fair—and I, for one, am glad.

If life were fair, then we would all go to hell. As less than perfect beings, we all do wrong things upon occasion, some more frequently than others.

As a result, we deserve punishment from a holy and just God; we all deserve to go to hell. Justice demands punishment.

Fortunately, life is not fair. The God of the Bible offers mercy to those who follow him. Though fairness demands hell, an eternal death, those who follow Jesus receive something else: heaven, an eternal life.

Thank you God for not being fair, for offering us mercy and grace instead.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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Categories
Personal Posts

Waiting for Sand

I understand the phrase “pounding sand” to be a reference to a futile activity, but “waiting for sand” was a new one to me.

This week, while awaiting takeoff of a small commuter plane, we endured a lengthy and unexpected delay.  Finally the explanation was given.

The plane was “unbalanced” and we were light in the tail section.  To correct this they needed to add weight in the back and we’re waiting for bags of sand to be delivered and loaded onto the plane.

Now if this weight imbalance was a safety issue, then I welcome the delay.  However, if this was done merely to make the plane fly more aerodynamically in order to save fuel, then I’m a bit miffed.

Because of this delay, I missed my connecting flight, as I’m sure was the case with many of my fellow travelers who had even tighter connections then me.

As a result, I understand “waiting for sand” to mean a needless and unwarranted delay.

“Waiting for sand,” seems to be the norm in the airline industry.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Bible Insights

Women in the Bible: Apphia

Apphia the Unknown

In the second verse of the letter to Philemon, Paul mentions two obscure people, Apphia and Archippus. Some people speculate that because they are listed together they are marriage partners or ministry partners.

While we don’t know for sure, what is clear is that Apphia is listed first.

It would have been counter-cultural in that day to list a female before a male (or perhaps to even list her at all). But God, through Paul, uses this as a means to elevate the status of women, affirming their role in his church. 

This is not to make women superior to men, but to bring them to a point of parity.

What is interesting about Apphia is that this is the only mention of her in the Bible, so we have no idea what she did that was so worthy to garner such a prominent place in this letter.

It would be safe to assume that she was worthy of this, be it through her character, her faith, her service, or some other noteworthy trait.

Like Apphia, who we are and the things we do may be largely unknown, but God does know—and that’s what counts.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is from Philemon and Jude, and today’s post is on Philemon 1:2.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in e-book, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Christian Living

What is Worship?

When I drive by a church there’s usually a sign telling when they meet. The word “worship” often come right before it.

While I fully understand what they mean, I’m more than a bit troubled by the gross misuse of that word.

Stating that worship is at 10 a.m. on Sunday, sends the strong message. It implies the other 167 hours of the week are times for non-worship. This idea of segregating the spiritual from the secular is an anathema to what God desires and intended.

If we truly love him, then we’re to worship 24/7. There should never be a time when we don’t worship him.

That, then, begs the question, “What is worship?”

Despite the preceding implication that worship is synonymous with the Sunday service, for many people worship is no more than a time of singing songs about God (or perhaps watching other people sing songs about God).

Sometimes a minister says, “Let’s worship God by giving our tithes and offerings.” I see generosity as a form of worship. But I’m turned off by the fact that the only time I hear the word worship is when someone’s asking for money.

The Bible says we’re to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). I love it!

I think this means we’re to worship God in all things, in all ways, and at all times. There is no spiritual time and non-spiritual time; it’s all spiritual. If everything is spiritual, then everything should be worship.

Worshiping God in all we do may mean they’re some things we need to stop doing, places we need to stop going, and words we need to stop saying.

You may opt to attend a church service on Sunday morning at 10 o’clock, but true worship can’t be scheduled and never ends.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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Categories
Bible Insights

Timothy Proved Himself

I earlier stated that Paul is the author of the letter to Philemon. This is correct, but not exclusively so. Timothy is also listed in the opening credits.

While we don’t know Timothy’s degree of involvement, the letter does state that it is from Paul and Timothy.

This isn’t an isolated occurrence either. Check out the opening verse in 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians, as well as Philemon. In each case, Timothy is listed as a partner in the correspondence.

We don’t know if he was a co-author, a collaborator, or played some other role, but it is clear the letter is also from him.

There are many other references to Timothy in the Bible, including in two letters from Paul to him.

From these we develop a composite picture of Timothy as a disciple, a helper, a co-worker, Paul’s son in the faith, a brother, and a servant.

We also know that he told others about Jesus and was thrown in jail as a result.

Paul goes on to affirm that Timothy “proved himself.” While Timothy didn’t need to earn his salvation or do something to garner God’s attention or favor, it is noteworthy that he proved himself in the work he was called to do.

Our challenge as we follow Jesus is to likewise prove ourselves as worthy.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Philippians 1-4, and today’s post is on Philippians 2:22.]

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

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Bible Insights

Philemon’s Dilemma

In the story surrounding Paul’s letter to Philemon, there are three central characters: Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. Since the letter is written to Philemon, let’s talk about him first.

Despite having a letter written to him, Philemon is only mentioned by name once in the Bible. It is in the book that bears his name.

Paul calls Philemon a “dear friend” and a “fellow worker” (v1).  The church also meets in his house (v2).

This doesn’t mean that Philemon is the leader of the church, but merely implies that he has the biggest house, thereby providing the most room for people to meet.

By virtue of owning the biggest house, it is likely that Philemon is also wealthy. Additionally, Paul notes the Philemon loves others (v5) and is an encourager (v7).

Philemon also has a slave. However, we need to be careful not to vilify Philemon for this. Historians tell us that unlike forced enslavement today, much of the slavery 2,000 years ago was voluntary.

Desperate people would voluntarily opt for slavery as a means of survival, either to pay off an insurmountable debt or to avoid starvation. Taking on a voluntary slave could therefore even be seen as an act of mercy.

Though we don’t know the exact circumstances between Philemon and Onesimus, what we do know is that Onesimus ran away, leaving Philemon without his services.

Philemon was wronged. Will he seek retaliation or give forgiveness?  Will he pursue justice or offer mercy?

Before these questions are answered, however, we must first looks at Paul’s role and Onesimus’s response, which will be in the next two posts.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

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Categories
Christian Living

Apophatic Prayer or Kataphatic Prayer?

A friend recently introduced me to two highfalutin, but insightful phrases: Apophatic Prayer and Kataphatic Prayer.

Kataphatic Prayer is praying using words, thoughts, and images.

Apophatic Prayer is prayer without words, thoughts, and images.

Another explanation—often credited to Eugene Peterson, but which I’ve not yet confirmed—is that Apophatic Prayer is praying with your eyes closed, while Kataphatic Prayer is praying with your eye open.

Here’s how I comprehend it. Do you have a close friend, with whom you are comfortable just being with each other? Where words are superfluous?

Where silence is not an uncomfortable torture? So it is with God when we approach him apophatically.

While some assert that Apophatic Prayer is higher than Kataphatic Prayer, I view them as complementary.

Just as a good relationship could never exist devoid of words (apophatic)—instead requiring verbal communication (kataphatic) in order to persist—so it is with us and God.

It is wonderful when we can transcend the tangible, but to remain there exclusively will ultimately serve to diminish our relationship with the almighty.

The right response to the question posed in this post’s title is Apophatic and Kataphatic. Good prayer—and a right relationship with God—requires both words and silence.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

Categories
Christian Living

The Mystery of Fasting

Fasting, after falling out of favor, is being reclaimed as a viable spiritual discipline. While I admit to regularly fasting, I also admit to being regularly perplexed by its practice.

Fasting is simply going without something (usually food) for a time to draw closer to God.

When I fast, this does happen, but I’m not sure why. In a theoretical sense, when I fast, my craving for food (a physical need) heightens my craving for God (a spiritual need).

While I comprehend this, it explains little.

My fasts are from food, usually for 24 hours; I endeavor to do this weekly. Occasionally God has told me to cut my fast short and a few times he has prompted me to extend it (and once or twice, I bailed midway through).

When I fast, the times I would normally spend preparing and eating a meal are reallocated to spiritual activities, such as praying, meditating, journaling, or simply listening.

At times this is an effort, but usually it is a significant spiritual experience. As such, I generally approach my weekly fast with joyful expectation.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned about fasting over the years:

  • Fasting is not about earning spiritual Brownie points; it is not about manipulating God or getting his attention.
  • Fasting is best done with little fanfare and not to gain the “respect” of others. I only let people know I am fasting if it will be an encouragement to them (which is why I’m blogging about it) or to explain why I’m not eating when they are.
  • For me, fasting also has side benefits (I am more productive when I fast and I lose weight), but whenever the side benefits become the focal point, the fast loses its spiritual power.
  • The hardest part of my fast is ending it well; that is, not overeating at its conclusion.

Despite my frequency of fasting and the significant spiritual aspect, it is still largely a mystery to me.

Nevertheless, I will persist in it because it more fully connects me to God than when I don’t fast.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

Categories
Christian Living

Let’s Get Together: Celebrating Community

Spend Intentional Time with Other Faith Seekers and Fellow Spiritual Pilgrims

Instead of celebrating community, in the individualistic society in which we live, most who pursue spiritual things do so in an individualistic manner—by themselves.

This is not good, and it is not wise.

Living the spiritual life is best accomplished in conjunction with others. The benefit of a collective perspective helps to protect us from making errors in judgment and reaching unwise conclusions.

Although a group consensus is not a guarantee of a sound comprehension of God, its combined input is a tremendous tool in discovering truth.

As you set to convene a cadre of spiritual seekers, avoid a leader-centric group, and instead seek an egalitarian gathering.

Unfortunately, we seldom accomplish this in a traditional church setting, which is one reason why some have given up on that practice.

Your spiritual gathering doesn’t need to meet in a church building or assemble on a Sunday morning. It can happen any day or time and can occur at someone’s home, at a coffee shop, or even a bar.

The pursuit of a spiritual life is a journey, one that is best suited and more fully enjoyed in the company of others. Attempting to travel this road on your own can result in getting lost or heading in the wrong direction.

Instead, the solution is community. Jesus lived in community. The Holy Trinity lives in community. God wants to be in community with us, and he created us to desire community with each other.

That’s why it’s important to never stop celebrating community.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.