The Cloak of Gaga – Part One

Yes folks, you read that right, the cloak of gaga. No, it’s not some silly riddle to tell kids. It is the truth that haunts all of our lives.

Have you ever met someone who you were astonished by? Who was able to captivate your heart and soul in a colossal way? Someone you thought was perfect, or at least close to perfect. Just the very thought of them had a hypnotic effect on you. Nothing, absolutely nothing they did or said could ever be wrong. Then. Either the next day or next week, or maybe even ten years in the future, you realize that you were completely and utterly wrong about those ideas or feelings. Somehow, someway, some indescribable power had over taken you. It had successfully covered the truth of who that person really was and how they really were. You my friend had fallen victim to the cloak. The cloak of gaga.

It has happened to us all. We find something, which at the time seems flawless, unblemished, dare I say immaculate, then discover that in fact there was something tarnished all along. How did you not see this? Why did it only become clear after the fact? You may say to yourself, “How could I have ever been so foolish!” Relax; we have all been there. That moment you realize the truth, the truth that was hidden all a long, by the cloak.

A cloak is defined simply as something that covers or conceals. In a sense it is a piece of clothing draped over you inhibiting your ability to see clearly the path set before you. There is actually a definition of “gaga”, the French actually used a similar term to describe an old fool. The definition I liked the best was when it was described as completely absorbed, infatuated or excited.

This cloak or this object that is concealing your vision is also a cloak of gaga, which says that you are not just distracted by the cloak but at the same time you are now infatuated. This pretense of sorts can come in different shapes, sizes, colors, fabrics, styles, some have lines, some have pokadots. Some are ugly, some are beautiful, some are dangerous, others safe, some are smelly, others are tasty. Regardless, they all have the same effect; they create a delusion of the truth. The cloak can be anything that gets in the way of you and your vision for what God is calling you to do. It creates a barrier between you and reality.

One of my favorite scriptures found in Hebrews 12, says this, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Notice when it says , “let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us,” in the Kings James it says, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. The two words here either in the NASB, Entangle, or the KJV, Beset come from the Greek word Euperistatos which means skillfully surrounding. So it tells us in essence to lay aside the sin which skillfully surrounds us and to instead turn our eyes away from that and to fix our eyes on Jesus.

This is a lot of time what sin does in our lives. We have the appearance that everything is great, that we are living on top of the world but what we fail to see is we have become enthralled by a vision created by our “cloak.” As I have begun to think this thought through, I have realized that this topic is much larger then I thought. It truly touches every part of our lives and affects our relationship with God. I will, in due time, begin to write of more specific examples that I have noticed in my life and in others lives, where the cloak of gaga has been evident.

Finally, I will leave you with a question, “What is it that we are holding onto that so skillfully surrounds us? What it is that seems like a wonderful thing but is really blinding us from the reality of the truth which God has for us.

Dios Te Bendiga

 

 

Recently, I was a part of a mission trip with a team from Engineering Ministries International (EMI). The photo above is representative of the wonderful people I had the privilege of working with for nine days in Costa Rica.

Before this week, most of us did not know each other from Adam. At the end of the week we were close friends. We came together to serve along side one another all with the common goal. To glorify God in what ever we did, wether it was dig a hole, draft a floor plan, clean dishes, play a guitar, learn, teach, share. By serving one another, each of us came away encouraged.

I have much more to share about this trip in words and in pictures. I hope to have that ready for you soon but in the mean time I have a quick word for all the members of this wonderful group of people I served with.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:3-6

I miss you all and Dios Te Bendiga!

It Doesn’t Take Much…

Last Thursday night the Florida Gator football team won the BCS National Championship game in Miami. Tim Tebow lead his Gators to victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in a game that was filled with ups and downs for each team. It is sure to be an instant classic on ESPN Classic and the memories will be remembered for a long time in Gainesville. I am also sure that because of this game, and the other acloades that preceded it,  Tim Tebow will go down as one of the greatest players in College Football history.

While all of this is true, I would like to mention what I think is the most impressive and exciting thing about that night.

In what was sure to be one of the most watched Football games of the year it wasn’t a big play, a great tackle , or a miraculous catch that caught my eye, it was a small subtile gesture. To some it may have seemed inconsequential but as we look closer, the impact may be larger then Tim may have ever expected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You see, Tim wrote on his eye black the words “John” and “3:16″. And on every closeup and every replay you saw Tebow’s face and along with his face you saw his eye black with John 3:16 in High Definition.

So whats the big deal?

Having the blessing of spending a little bit of time with the Tebow family during time in New York when Tim won the Hiesman a year ago, I learned the main purpose of the Tebow family is not so much winning the football game ,but more importantly, sharing the message of the Gospel to the world. It was interesting to see the fall out the next day in the various newspaper articles and blog post over the eye black and the message that was sent. Some were positive some were negative, in either case, it made some waves. In fact, It was so impactful that as I began to read other articles, some shared that it was so popular that the term “John 3:16″ was the #1 search term on Google the day of the National Championship game! At first I was skeptical but I did my research and as you can see in the following image, which is a screen shot of the top 100 searches on Google for January 8th, 2009, sure enough, “john 3 16″ is the top search.

 

It was also interesting that if you were to click on “john 3 16″ it will show you a line graph for January 8th, 2009, and the level per hour. As you can see below once the game began around 8pm EST (5pm PST) there is a short spike, then around half time which is around 10pm EST (7pm PST) there is a max peak that occurs. This is referred to in Google’s terms as Volcanic! In other words, it became exteremly popular really quick.

So what is the point to all of this. The reason I share these details to you is to show you that it really doesn’t take much. Sure Tim Tebow was playing in one of the biggest football games of his life, but he took a small moment and added a few letters to his eye black, it didnt take much. Even those small words written in silver pen on his face was enough to get thousands and thousands of people interested in what that meant. Interested enough to search it out on Google. What did they find?

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For most Christians, this is well known and understood but for others it may have been the first time they read this verse.
Perhaps it may have been the first time they read that there is a God that loves them, a God that gave, in order that we may have eternal life. They may have read further in the next verse to see that God did not come into this world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved!

It may be the first time they have heard the Gospel and you know what, it really didn’t take much. Remember in our own lives, as we speak with others and serve others, that it doesn’t take much.  The Gospel is simple. And as we saw with Tim, it doesn’t take much to share it with others.

Favorite Things

The other night the movie “The Sound of Music” was playing on TV. As I watched I was intrigued when the song “My Favorite Things” came on and it caused me to ask myself the obvious question, “What are some of my favorite things?” While my favorite things are not raindrops on roses nor whiskers on kittens, the following list will show you a few of mine. Enjoy!

 

Walking in the woods during Fall. (sometimes donning an orange vest at the same time, but not always necessary)

Watching the snow fall. (preferably while I am not driving)

Driving down an open road with a full tank of gas. (perhaps the windows down and a good music playing)

Chicago Style Pizza. (Thin crust is for wimps)

Looking up at a dark sky and being amazed at the number of stars in the sky (then trying to watch for a shooting star)



A well crafted, well written and presented song.

The sound of a mandolin being strummed by a pro.

My grandma’s applesauce

Molasses cookies



Sweet Barbeque sauce on almost anything…

and speaking of sweet…

Sweet little hugs and kisses from my sweet and little niece!

Talking with a good friend about life for hours on end  (and even into the morning)




 

…these are just a few of my favorite things, what about you? Share with me a few of yours!



The Oratorio…

According to wikipedia, an Oratorio is “a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists”. Little did I know that attending an Oratorio would give me a picture into what the body of Christ should really look like.

In recent weeks I have had discussions with some friends about the differences in the body of Christ as far as it comes to different types of worship or different denominations. Controversy lurks in every corner of these discussions and unfortunately it is never resolved or concluded. At least not in my head.

Some may say there other Christians who are too emotional and lack the doctrine, while some may say others have plenty doctrine but they lack any emotion. In both these cases, I would probably agree and I would agree that in most cases, there are also extremes.

I will ask, is one better then the other? or is there room for both?

The answer lies in an Oratorio called “Handel’s Messiah“. One of the most famous masterpieces created by George Frideric Handel in 1741. I had the privilege of attending a performance of Handel’s Messiah on Good Friday (which I have thought would make a great tradition during the Easter festivities.) I am sure I had heard bits and pieces of this before but never attended a proper performance of this great oratorio.

The amazing thing about this piece of art, was that it included two dynamics that came together to portray the Gospel in its proper light. The words used in Messiah are all taken from the Bible and represent the complete doctrine of the Gospel. The music that frames these words are used to convey the emotions that this wonderful doctrine of the Gospel produces when taken to heart. The combination of the words (doctrine) and the music (emotion) are a beautiful picture of what we as the Body of Christ should look like.

Many times we are quick to learn doctrine and pretend there is no emotion that is created. or we try and manufacture emotion based upon false or whimsical doctrine. In either case you are going to hurt the entire message of the Gospel.

There is a truth (doctrine) that there is a God, and that this God loved us so much, that he has provided a way, through Christ, that we may have salvation from our sins which produces in us a joy that is overwhelming (emotion).

Remember that there should be a balance because too much doctrine can begin to complicate the simple message of grace and that too much emotion and create watered down feelings that are not supported by the Word of God.

The other thing I took away from this oratorio was the members of the orchestra, the choir, and the soloists. It is such a beautiful picture of how we all work together as the Body of Christ to present this message of the Gospel, through our message (doctrine) and through our love (emotion). We all have certain gifts and roles to play. Some are the soloists who preach and teach every Sunday, or those who share the Gospel with a friend for the first time. Others are in the choir, who volunteer in children’s ministry, or at the thrift shop, or provide financial support. Then there are others who may be in the orchestra all with different instruments and skills, what ever that may be. Watchman Nee said in his book The Body of Christ the following,
“How do I live as a member of the body of Christ? The body must be taken as the unit and boundary of all my works and living. In the physical realm, when my hand works, it is not my hand but my body which works; when my feet walk, it is not my feet but my body which walks. A physical member never does anything for its own self; whatever it does is for the sake of the body. So too is this true in the spiritual realm. All the actions of a member of the body of Christ are governed by the body of Christ, not by the individual member himself. Whether God puts me in first or in last place, it is equally acceptable with me. For only the one who does not see, know, and experience the body of Christ will be proud or jealous.”

In Romans 12:3-8, it says,
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, {each of us is to exercise them accordingly:} if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

In Conclusion, every time you listen to Handel’s Messiah, I hope you remember that first, there is a wonderful Gospel message and second, realize all of the various numbers of people that it takes to portray that message to you both in words (doctrine) and its music (emotion). We can only truly present the Gospel when we have both the Truth from the Word of God and display the Love that was shown by our Savior Jesus Christ.
PS: One of my favorite choruses of was based upon 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 and I have a version posted on here from You Tube. I have also posted the words below. Enjoy!

Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Let it Snow…Let it Snow…

Recently I saw a news article about snow falling in Baghdad. It was the first time they had seen snow in that city in at least a hundred years. For many of the people in that city they viewed it as a sign of peace and rebirth for them.

Before I go on, I must state upfront that I am a native Floridian who has never had to live, work, and drive in snow. With that said, I can now say unashamedly that snow is an mesmerizing to me. Since I have not had to live in the stuff, I really find it amazing. I suppose its a lot like how many people who live in Florida never go to the beach or disregard it while others who come down here find it amazing! Like I always say a change in perspective can change your objective.

For me its always rain, rain and more rain. But there comes a time when the temperature is just right when this rain becomes something much more special. As the temperature changes the drops of rain begin to change over into flakes all which look different then the other. The leaves begin to drop from the trees in Autumn covering the ground and in a sense they die. Most of the plants begin the process of dying by changing there colors. Even this process is unique and breath taking.

Then comes the first snow quiet and peaceful, then the second and it begins to accumulate and cover over all that which has died. Soon enough everything is covered in a white blanket that wont be uncovered until spring.

Once spring arrives, the temperature begins to rise, and the snow begins to melt and in its place life begins a new and fresh.

This to me creates a few parallels of a beautiful reminder of what Jesus Christ has done for us. The first is found in Isaiah it is talking to the Israelites about what would happen if they repent, in the first chapter and verse 18, it says ,“Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow…“

And just as the snow gives way to new life in the spring, Jesus is in the business of making you New Again. The thing we need to remember is that before there can be a rebirth of life, something must die.

In Colossians 1:21-22 it says; “and although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, {engaged} in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body though death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach“

Because of what Christ has done you can be made New Again.

Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come. Now all of these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sins to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Quote of the Day – January 1st, 2008

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish things that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Him Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

- C.S. Lewis

Mere Christianity (New York: McMillan, 1952), pp. 55-56.

The Best Christmas Gift…

I am sure that once in awhile we get the question posed to us of what is the best gift you ever have received for Christmas? I have discussed with a friend recently the criteria of a truly great gift. A few of the simple criteria included that the gift was unexpected and it has to be thoughtful. Another thing I may add would be that it could be undeserved.

This Christmas I was lucky enough to receive one of those truly great gifts. The best gift I received was having my Sister, Brother-in-Law, and my wonderful niece here for Christmas. Undeserved, unexpected, and very thoughtful. Thank you for making the effort to come down…

In closing, I wanted to with everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I also wanted to say that we all have been given a truly great gift! We may be undeserving of it, we may not be expecting it, and its hard to imagine the thought involved. God gave us this truly great gift through His Son Jesus Christ. I think it says it best in a few lines from “Hark, The Herald Angles Sing”

Hark the herald angles sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”

Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angles sing
“Glory to the newborn King!

Quote of the Day – 12.19.07

“Prayer is never an acceptable substitute for obedience. The sovereign Lord accepts no offering from His creatures that is not accompanied by obedience. To pray for revival while ignoring or
actually flouting the plain precept laid down in the Scriptures is to waste a lot of words and get nothing for our trouble.”

(A.W. Tozer – Of God and Men, 52.)

To Chris…

I regret to say that this past Wednesday, December 12, my dear friend Chris Herring was killed in a motorcycle accident. I have known Chris almost from the womb and other then maybe my parents and my sister he is probably the first person I can recall in my life as a child. We attended the same preK-3 class with a very mean teacher but had one of the greatest years of our lives in Kindergarten.

After Kindergarten graduation we said good buy never knowing if we would see each other. The next year we were to move on to Elementary school, I ended up going to a new school the next year and who is the first person I see as I am walking in the first day… Chris! What are the chances? From that point on we had a friendship that bonded closely over the years. And with the exception of a few years, we spent the rest of our Elementary, Middle school and High School days together. We still stayed in touch while I perused my education and profession and he perused his education and his education.

Once you get out of high school its not always easy to maintain the closeness that you did then but in between our busy work and school schedules we would always try to find times to catch up and check in on each other and see how one another were doing. We were the kind of friends who could not have talked for over a year but get together and start off like we had just been together the whole time. I understood him and he understood me.

I also regret to say that on my to do list this past week was to give Chris a call so we could try and catch some dinner. It is starting to catch up to me that I will not be able to do that… I challenge you, that if there is someone on that “to do” list you have been meaning to call, do it today and remember to cherish those who are around you that God has given you. As much as I am sadden by this all, I do know that one day I will get to have dinner and catch up with Chris because I believe he put his faith in trust in Jesus Christ for Salvation. And because of this, that dinner will be at the banquet table with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who is seated at the front of the table.

Chris, I miss ya buddy.

I came across a song during this time that refreshed my soul and renewed my spirit.. by one of my hero’s Andrew Peterson called “More”. To listen to this great song click here.

MORE

This is not the end here at this grave
This is just a hole that someone made
Every hole was made to fill
And every heart can feel it still–
Our nature hates a vacuum

This is not the hardest part of all
This is just the seed that has to fall
All our lives we till the ground
Until we lay our sorrows down
And watch the sky for rain

There is more
More than all this pain
More than all the falling down
And the getting up again
There is more
More than we can see
From our tiny vantage point
In this vast eternity
There is more

A thing resounds when it rings true
Ringing all the bells inside of you
Like a golden sky on a summer eve
Your heart is tugging at your sleeve
And you cannot say why
There must be more

There is more
More than we can stand
Standing in the glory
Of a love that never ends
There is more
More than we can guess
More and more, forever more
And not a second less

There is more than what the naked eye can see
Clothing all our days with mystery
Watching over everything
Wilder than our wildest dreams
Could ever dream to be
There is more