Chaos "It Happens!"

This is not going to be a discussion of "Chaos" theory. Usually "It Happens!' is associated with a different word. I do not wish to waste our time talking about dung. However, in some ways both of these matters relate to what I am going to write about in this post.

Chaos all too often describes my state of being and frequently my state of mind. It is also the environment in which ministry happens. Moments of ministry happen while we are on our way to do some great work (to paraphrase C.S. Lewis). It also occurs in the midst of the chaos of broken lives. It is in this chaos that the creative "Spirit of God" comes and brings meaning to my mess and calm in the midst of chaos.

Eugene Peterson in the Unnecessary Pastor writes,

If the scientists in controlled conditions can't come up with pure objectivity that translates into precise predictability, we're certainly not going to. For we work at the other end of the control spectrum: put a pastor and a congregation together and mostly what you have is some kind of chaos, what Genesis 1:2 names tohu [wa]bohu, "without form and void." This may not seem very promising, but you also have the Spirit of God, hovering over this chaos, and God's Word being spoken, bringing a world of creation and salvation into being. All ministry takes place in conditions of sin, over which the Spirit of God hovers and into which the world-making,life-changing Word of God is spoken.

He uses two Hebrew words (tohu, "with out form," and bohu, "void"). These two rhyming words are found paired together in two other Old Testament passages.

This usage is intended to compare the chaotic state of pre-creation earth with the post-resurrection world. In this End-Time world where life is messy and chaos threatens. It is the real world where those who are called by God are also called to minister. Is it possible that those called to ministry are not only the ones we call the clergy but all of us? Have we not all been called by God to serve (minister to) one another? In my more than 25 years of full time ministry the challenge has always been to find the calm in the midst of the chaos.

I am sure that much of the chaos of my daily existence is of my own making. I am probably also responsible for most of the "stuff" that "happens" in my untidy world. It is therefore, reassuring to know that the "Spirit of God" is hovering over my crazy mixed up life. He is waiting to breathe life into my lifeless corpse. I need resurrection and He raises me up and causes me to stand on solid ground. He forms a vessel of honor out of a formless,useless ball of spit and dirt. However, it is "God-Spit" and how important is that to remember?

God speaks and order is created out of disorder and chaos. God speaks and life is created from lifelessness. The void and chaos hear the voice of God and respond but are we humans listening?

Just some things to think about along the way.

Bob

Psalms 32:7 "You are my Hiding Place"

Vs. 1- Blessed is he whose transgressions(rebellion against God's will) are forgiven ("borne away"), whose sins (to miss the mark translated guilt in verse 5) are covered.

Psalm 32 is the second of the seven penitential psalms (6,32,38,51,102,130,143). This Psalm is generally associated in this regard with Psalm 51. Therefore, it is usually interpreted through this connection to David's sin with Bathsheba. It is also generally considered to be before the death of Uriah. It contains within it, a movement from sin and agony to repentance and joy. It begins with a beatitude or a word of blessing. It can be divided in to pairs of verses with verse five acting as the turning point.

Verses 1 and 2 The blessing of the forgiven man
Verses 3 and 4 The suffering state of the unforgiven

Verse 5 The turning point as he confesses his sin

Verses 6 and 7 The exhortation for others to trust in God in trouble
Verses 8 and 9 The exhortation to be malleable to instruction
Verses 10 and 11 The experience of the joy of Divine beneficence

Vs. 7- "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

When I read verse 7 of this Psalm I am reminded of a book, "The Hiding Place." It is the story of a Dutch family (the ten Boom's) who were imprisoned by the Nazi's during WWII for giving assistance to the Jews. These brave souls acted on their faith when many around them simply "turned a blind eye" to the inhuman treatment of innocent Jews. All life is precious and "no greater love has a man than to lay down his life for another." Let me share with you a few quotes from the Book that reflect his family's attitude and faith in the most adverse of circumstances.

"The truth, Sir, is that God's viewpoint is sometimes different from ours...." Corrie ten Boom

"If I go home today, tomorrow I will open my door again to any man in need who knocks..." Casper ten Boom

"Thank you for the very crowding here. Since we're packed so close, that many more will hear!" Betsie ten Boom at the barracks at Ravensbruck concentration camp.

Vss. 3-4- "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away though my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me, my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer."

It is of interest to me that the Psalmist speaks of the agony that keeping silent inflicts upon him personally. He is speaking of keeping silent about his own sin in this context. The physical and emotional pain caused by our attempts to hide sin are enormous. The heavy burden of the guilt of sin is more than one can carry for any length of time. The body and spirit cry for release. For the psalmist that release comes in the form of confession.

How many different ways, methods or avenues do we humans try, as a means of hiding or assuaging our guilt? How often do we try to hide from God? It is an entirely different concept than to be "hidden in God." What does it mean to be "Hidden in God?"

Vs.6- "Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found..."

This Psalm was the favorite of Augustine of Hippo (St. Augustine). He had it read as he neared death. It was reportedly posted at his bedside as he drew close to death. One of his better knows works is "Confessions" and I would like to share a couple of quotes from Augustine.

"Let me know Thee, O Lord, who knowest me: let me know Thee, s I am known.For the confessions of my past sins, which Thou hast forgiven and covered, that Thou mightest bless me in Thee..."

The call to prayer is found in the middle of this Psalm. I found the following quote at the beginning of chapter one, of Philip Yancey's book, Prayer: Does it make any Difference?

"When a doctoral student at Princeton asked, 'What is there left in the world for original dissertation research?' Albert Einstein replied, 'Find out about prayer. Somebody must find out about prayer.'"

Let me share some thoughts or ideas from this beautiful Psalm. I hope that they will prompt questions and open up a dialogue.

• The Joy of Forgiveness
• The Agony of Sin
• The Healing of Confession
• The Exhortation to Pray
• The Unfailing Love of God
• The Wonder of Worship
  

Just somethings to think about along the way.

Bob

Seven Thunders: “The Voice of God”

Many of us are familiar with God speaking to Elijah in the “gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12).” However, in Psalms 29 thunder and lightning are the manifestations of “the voice of God.” Seven times the phrase “the voice of the Lord” is mentioned in this Psalm. It reminds me of the line from the song, “God is an Awesome, God” it says, “There is thunder in his footsteps and lightning in his fist.” This is a vivid image, a word picture if you will, of an “Awesome God.”

MYTH
Marvel Comic fans will recognize “The Mighty Thor” a superhero created in the 1960’s. This comic book character is loosely based upon the Nordic, Germanic Myth of “Thor, god of thunder.” He is son of Odin and protector of Asgard (dwelling of the Nordic pantheon) and Midgard (the dwelling of humans). The “thunder gods” are often warrior figures. They are often also the protectors of the innocent, as well as the most powerful among the gods. “There is thunder in his footsteps and lightning in his fist.” This is a common image in Mythology.

SCIENCE

Modern science does not fully understand how thunder occurs. However, one of the most common explanations would be as follows. Thunder most frequently refers to the shock waves caused by the rapid heating and expanding of the air surrounding and within a bolt of lightning. The bolt changes the air into plasma and the resulting explosion causes shock waves, which we call, thunder. They occur almost simultaneously when the lightning flash is close. Sometimes there is a time between depending upon distance because light travels faster than sound.

AWE AND WONDER

If you were an ancient inhabitant of this planet we call earth who lived in a sod hut, a pole dwelling covered with animal skins or even if you made your home in a cave, no doubt you would be awed by thunder and lightning. The truth is that only a few nights ago lightning struck only a short distance from my home. The thunder shook my house and rattled my windows. I lurched upright in bed, awakened by the explosive force of the thunder. To be in awe of such power is not something reserved for only ancient humans. It is something modern man also fears and respects.

APPLICATION

God thunders and the mountains crumble. The Lord breathes upon the sea and its waves cover the land. The Lord hurls his lightning bolts and the cedars of Lebanon split apart. The earth quakes and the heavens shiver as the chariot of the Lord speeds across the heavens. “Behold, he comes riding on a cloud…” or so the song tells us. We experience his awesome presence and behold his glory.

Psalm 29 continues an overall theme, which we have addressed in these early Psalms. It is a reoccurring theme throughout the Psalter. This theme is one of worship and praise to Yahweh. This Psalm is also call the Song of Thunders. It is clear from this Psalm that its writer has a God-centered world view. The Lord is presented as a God of wonders (majesty) and glory. The voice of God is heard in seven thunders. At his voice, there are Earthquakes, Floods, Thunderstorms and Hurricane force winds.

1. Call to Worship (verses 1-2 &9b)
2. Presence of God is evident (verse 3).
3. Power of God is revealed (verse 4-9). Notice the verbs.
   Breaks
   Makes
   Strikes
   Shakes
   Twists
   Strips
4. Protection of God is known (verse 10).
5. Peace of God is experienced (verse 11).
   

Just somethings to think about on the way.

Bob