Category: Brother Al (Page 22 of 68)

When I listen to many politicians, I picture arrogance prancing right before me, like mischievous children who think they will not get caught. We are told God hates arrogance. “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance” (Prov. 8:13).  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines arrogance as “an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions.”  It is the height of arrogance when someone seems to have total disregard for the Creator of the universe who has invited us to call him, “Father.”  The Psalmist cries out, “Why does the wicked man revile God?  Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’?” (Ps. 10:13).

We have become complacent in our own wisdom, thinking we know better than our heavenly Father. “You were complacent in your evil deeds; you thought, ‘No one sees me.‘ Your self-professed wisdom and knowledge lead you astray when you say, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me!'” (Is. 47:10 NET).

In at least two instances, the prophet Isaiah calls out the arrogance of those who think God does not see.  First, Isaiah 29:15 says, “Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, ‘Who sees us?  Who will know?'” The second is Isaiah 47:10, “You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.‘  Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none beside me.'” 

The first passage is directed to the leaders of Judah and “probably alludes to political alliances made without seeking the Lord’s guidance…There seems to be a confidence that their deeds are hidden from others, including God.” (NET).  In danger of an invasion from the Assyrians, the leaders of God’s people were planning to seek help against Assyria from Egypt.  Instead of publicly putting their trust in God, “the leaders of Judah are reduced to the secrecy of underhanded human politics.  For them, the sovereign God might as well not exist” (ESV).

The second passage is directed at the Babylonians. “The Babylonians gave great attention to cataloging all the possible omens that might occur and what they would mean when they did; it was a great but vain intellectual effort.  When disaster came, their magical wisdom was useless to either foretell it or prevent it” (NIVZSB).  We read in Is. 47:11, “But disaster will happen to you; you will not know how to avert it.” (CSB). Babylon’s wisdom was actually foolishness; it would fall because it was wise in its own eyes rather than trustful of God.  

In all of the prancing that is being done today, we need to always remember how God has dealt with the pain of our fallen world. “”For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” ( Col. 1:19-20).    

Men, we are Jesus followers.  We need to humbly keep our eyes on Jesus.  He will make a way for us through this modern wilderness.  John tells us, “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands” (John 3:35).  As the good shepherd, Jesus will lead us through this present wilderness.  “But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the desert” (Ps. 78:52). 

While others prance, stay humble – and keep your focus on Jesus and the cross. 

My temperament is that of an extroverted, sanguine male.  Because I’m also intuitive, I often feel on the outside looking in when it comes to male camaraderie.  Yet God, by his grace and mercy, has allowed me to feel secure in my maleness even in the company of men very different from me.  In fact, I have found that joshing and joking with men has given me an inside track into their lives. 

I say this just as a segue to expressing my appreciation for The Babylon Bee: “Your Trusted Source for Christian News Satire.”  The Babylon Bee “was created ex nihilo on the eighth day of creation week, exactly 6.000 years ago.  We have been the premier news source through every major world event, from the Tower of Babel and the Exodus to the Reformation and the War of 1812.  We focus on just the facts, leaving spin and bias to other news sites like CNN and Fox News.”

Men, when we can no longer laugh at life, nor get along with people who think differently than we do, we are in trouble.  Many of the leading comedians of our time admit it is harder to do standup comedy today, because people are too easily offended.  This is not good for our emotional and even spiritual health. 

Because of this, I release you as a man to joke, poke fun, and josh with other men. When the people of Israel came back from captivity in Babylonian, Psalm 126:2 tells us, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.”  When we can no longer laugh at ourselves and enjoy good, clean joshing as men, we are still slaves in captivity.  Men, in Christ we can live in freedom and joy. 

I write about The Babylon Bee for two reasons.  First, I recommend their website to you if you have not already discovered it.  You will be surprised at the insight they provide into our culture through satire.  Second, I want to point out how they are in the crosshairs of the popular media. It only shows how oversensitive we have become to opposing positions.  When satire is misconstrued, then we are in real trouble as a culture.

Recently The Babylon Bee was able to force the New York Times to remove its defamatory characterization of The Bee as trafficking misinformation and fake news.  However, the battle against The Bee continues: recently Facebook announced it would be moderating satire to make sure it doesn’t “punch down.”  Essentially, Facebook posits that it can judge what qualifies as “true satire” – which also means it can judge jokes that “punch down” to be hatred disguised as satire.  

Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, noted: “Having failed in their effort to lump us in with fake news, the media and Big Tech… now hope to discredit us by saying we’re spreading hatred – rather than misinformation – under the guise of satire.”

I appreciate how Dillion responded to the attacks on The Bee.  “But we’re not ‘punching down.’ We’re punching back.  Conservatives have been on the ropes in the culture war for a long time… the left’s new prohibition of “punching down” is speech suppression in disguise.  It’s people in positions of power protecting their interests by telling you what you can and cannot joke about.” 

Men, I encourage you to use satire to lighten your load.  It seems like we can no longer laugh.  Remember the people of Israel when they came back to Zion: “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy” (Ps 126:2).

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1).  This verse became more real to me recently after I spoke in a harsh tone to my wife.  There was no need for such a response.  I was simply frustrated.  In its footnotes, the NET Bible gives an alternative translation as “a soft answer.”  “The adjective ‘soft; tender; gentle’ is more than a mild response; it is conciliatory, an answer that restores good temper and reasonableness.”  I definitely was not conciliatory toward my bride. I was ill-tempered and unreasonable.  

By all accounts I had blown it with my attitude and especially with my tone of voice. It was harsh and condescending. I confessed my fault to my wife. That is spiritual progress for me. Usually, I would simply brush off my remark with an insincere “I’m sorry.”  But this time I was aware of the tone in my voice.  I was deeply convicted when my bride expressed “fear” that I might regress to giving her the old silent treatment.  My wife’s expression of “fear” was frankly shocking to me.

Men, it has taken me a lot of years to get to where I can confess to you my shameful attitude when I get frustrated.  I pride myself in being a caring guy.  I am not harsh and judgmental in my outward behavior toward others.  Yet my own wife can become fearful because of my harsh attitude.  That makes me a hypocrite. 

“Gentleness” is a new watchword for me at home. There are six references to gentleness in scripture (NIV).  Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).  In Col. 3:12 there is the challenge to clothe “yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Paul appeals to believers “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (II Cor. 10:1). In Phil. 4:5, Paul exhorts us to “Let your gentleness be evident to all” (Phil 4:5).   In I Peter 3:15, we are told to answer “with gentleness and respect.”

According to The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, “Gentleness is an image of God’s ultimate subversive power that undercuts the power structures of the world.”  Jesus tells us to take his yoke and learn from him because he was “gentle and humble in heart” (Matt 11:29).  By doing so we would “find rest” for our souls.  Men, we can be subversive by being gentle and humble in relation to our wives.  

Paul urges us to live a life worthy of our calling as a follower of Jesus.  “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).  The first place I can practice being gentle is with my wife, since Paul tells us “He who loves his wife loves himself” (Eph. 5:28).   My harshness only shows how far I still have to go in loving my wife as my own flesh.

So how am I going to become gentler as a husband, father, or man – one who desires to give a gentle answer in an attitude of love and caring?  I know I will not succeed in every situation.  But I hope to improve in showing gentleness. Many of you could feel the same way.  

Here are three things I challenge us all to do, as we ask for grace to improve.  First, become aware of our attitude and tone of voice as we sincerely pray for a sensitive and gentler spirit.  Second, confess on the spot when we detect a lack of gentleness. Third, seek forgiveness when we fail, while asking our wives to pray for us.  We’re in this together!

There is a lack of “soul care” for men in the church.  More time is spent on the boundaries or circumference of our lives – thinking, managing, and trying to address issues in the church.  Instead of aiming at the soul, however, we tinker with religious performance, programs and activities.  I join the voices crying out in our contemporary spiritual wilderness for men to pay attention to their souls. This involves the “inner journey” to the center.  It is a call to what Augustine and Calvin called “the double knowledge” of “knowing God and knowing ourselves.”   

Moses sent 12 spies, one from each tribe, to explore the Promised Land and come back with a report.  Ten spies came back with the majority report, saying, “The people who live there are powerful and the cities are fortified and very strong.  We even saw descendants of Anak [giants] there” (Num. 13:28).  As a result, they, “spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored” (Num. 13:32). 

The people complained, “Where can we go?  Our brothers have made us lose heart.  They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller that we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky; we even saw the Anakites there'” (Deut. 1:28).  Moses pleaded with them, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.  The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert.  There you saw how the Lord your God carried you as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place” (Deut. 1:29-31). 

Caleb and Joshua, however, brought back a minority report.  After quieting the people, Caleb declared, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Num. 13:30).  Joshua then declared to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good … do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up.  Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.  “Do not be afraid of them” (Num. 14:7-9).   Because of their positive report, God declared Caleb and Joshua would survive the plague that brought death to the 10 spies who brought back the bad report.

My concern is that we are paying too much attention to a majority report about “giants” in the land. For men, many of our giants are not without but within: overeating, addictions, sexual fantasy, pornography, fear, shame, inner wounds, etc.  I think you get the idea. 

These are the giants we need to face and defeat.  But we need groups of men who believe in “soul care.”  We cannot conquer these inner giants alone.  This battle takes time.  It will be a process.  We need brothers to stick with us as we face the giants.

Concerning the Israelites who believed the majority report, God said, “Not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers.  No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.  But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land…”(Num. 14:23-24).  I pray that you will join me in striving to be a Caleb.  Men need encouragement, not to flee from or deny their inner giants, but to be willing to fight the good fight with other brothers.   

Suggested application: Seek out that kind of group – and don’t quit till you find it.

Some of you may remember the haunting song by Gordon Lightfoot entitled, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976).  It is a ballad about an iron ore freighter sinking off of Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay on Nov. 10, 1975.  All 29 crews member were lost in the midst of hurricane winds that caused 35′ waves.  The last words from Captain Ernest McSorley were, “We are holding our own.”  

I preached recently on Jesus walking on the water (Matt 14:22-33).  Our nation is experiencing cultural storms while policy makers and cultural influencers tell us, “We are holding our own.” Meanwhile, the storm only seems to intensify.  Are we aware of Jesus’ presence in the midst of the storm, confident he will help us navigate the treacherous waters?  Be warned: we are in the midst of a cultural storm.  

After feeding the five thousand, the crowd “intended to come and make him king by force, (John 6:35).  Jesus made his disciples get into a boat to go across to the other side.  Jesus didn’t want them overly influenced by “the dominant narrative” which, quite to the contrary, seems to imply, “we are holding our own.”  That was simply a lie, perpetuated by arrogant voices who say, “We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips – who is our master?” (Ps 12:4 NIV).    

Jesus then goes away alone to pray, because he knew his message was being misunderstood and misappropriated.  The crowd saw Jesus as a political savior. The Good News of Jesus bringing His kingdom reign was overridden in favor of a political narrative. While seeking guidance from his Father, a dangerous storm develops on the Sea of Galilee, where the boat (with his disciples) was being, “buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it” (Matt. 14:24).      

Jesus comes walking to them on the water between 3 and 6 in the morning.  The disciples did not recognize Jesus. “‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear” (Matt. 14:26). Jesus tells them, “Take courage!  It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  Men, ask yourself, “How would I respond to seeing a man walking on the water?” 

Is our trust in Jesus strong enough to weather the present storms? Or are we falling for a particular narrative?  In another incident, during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus, “rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm” (Mark 4:39).  Men, if Jesus can calm nature in its fury, he can handle the storms caused by “the dominant narrative” so they don’t overwhelm us.  Why?  Because he is Lord.

What do you think the twelve men in the boat learned about Jesus when he go back into the boat during the storm?  This occurred after the disciples witnessed Peter getting out of the boat and beginning to sink.  Jesus rescued him.  “And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God” (Matt. 14:32-33). This is the first recorded instance that they worshipped Jesus as the Son of God. 

It seems to me, the disciples learned a new trust in Jesus caring for them – regardless of the circumstances.  Don’t believe the lie that “we are holding our own.”  Put your trust in the One who actually can calm the turbulent waters of this world and your heart.  One more note: Make sure you are in a boat with other believers. You cannot manage the storm alone. 

Recently, Judy and I celebrated my 80th birthday with my sister in Northern Michigan (UP), where I was born and raised by my Finnish parents.  Having left home when I was 18, venturing out to California, coming to faith at a Bible school and meeting my “Rachel” at the well, reaching 80 is a milestone both physically and spiritually.

I now have a longer view of history in which to celebrate and share the mercy and goodness of the Lord. I always told my family, “I’m shooting for 80.”  Now that I have made it, I still have some spiritual “juice” left in my tank.  Physically, I am slowing down, but spiritually and mentally I am feeling strong. 

Psalm 92:12-15 is marked “old age” in my Bible: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.  They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green (Psalm 92:12-15).  O Lord, keep my spirit open  so I don’t get brittle and worn out.  May your Spirit keep me fresh and green.  I want to flow in the power of your Spirit, flourishing in my 80’s. Help me to “leave it all out on the spiritual field” for You.  

Deut. 34:7 tells us, “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.”  Moses didn’t stay forever youthful.  But he did stay useful and faithful to God.  Is. 46:4 is also marked “in old age.”  “Even in your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”  I thank you, Lord, for carrying me this far on the journey, sustaining and rescuing me through all these years.  

I want to sing, praise, and even shout with Jeremiah when he declares, “But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.  They’re created new every morning.  How great your faithfulness!  I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).  He’s all I’ve got left” (Lam. 3:21b-24 Message). At 80 I can let it all out, because He is all I have left.  Praise you Jesus; I just want to tell of your faithfulness to a generation without a lot of hope. 

We might all pray with the Psalmist, “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone” (Ps 71:9). The psalmist later shares a wonderful testimony that we can embrace whenever we begin the last leg of our individual journeys. “O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.  Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.  Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me” (Ps 71:17-18 NLT). 

As we all draw closer to our eternal home, let us be “at home in his love.”  “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me.  Make yourselves at home in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love.  That’s what I’ve done – keep my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love” (John 15:9-10 Message).

The Tokyo Olympics are now history. The spirit and demeanor of the event changed dramatically this year because of political unrest all around the world. National pride seemed to be a waning, with more focus on individual accomplishment.  The Covid-19 virus certainly impacted every event in some way. Yet the gospel message was presented through the testimony of some very committed athletes. 

One such example was the Fiji Rugby team. Now I am not a rugby fan.  I know little about the sport.  But what I have seen on TV has left a lasting impression: two groups of grown men, physically strong and agile, each determined to out-muscle each other and force their collective will on their opponents.  These are real guys in the classic sense.  I marvel at these athletes working together as a team.  In my opinion, most NFL teams could use these guys on their offensive lines. But that is perhaps a naïve point of view.  

Whatever the case, the Fiji Rugby team won a gold medal.  I happened to see the last part of the medal ceremony.  I thought to myself, “Amazing! These strong, muscular guys are praying and worshiping after being awarded an Olympic gold medal.”  Here is how Breakpoint described the medal ceremony: “This was the second Olympic gold for the Fijians.  They got on their knees, they prayed to God in thanksgiving, and sang a hymn of praise.  It was so beautiful.  It’s a traditional tune that contains these words, ‘We have overcome, by the blood of the lamb, and the word of the Lord, we have overcome.’”

When I read that, I knew I had to write this blog.  First, I deeply admire these strong, athletic men for defying the cultural narrative so prevalent during the Olympics. “God talk” was carefully monitored and capped.  But the guys from Fuji came to the games to collectively witness to their faith.  These men played together, united in faith, witnessing to the world of the saving gospel of Jesus.  Being culturally and politically correct was not part of their worldview.  They were a team of Christian men, and they wanted the world to know that God deserves the glory.  How refreshing it was to see their united witness.  

Secondly, I love the words from the hymn they sang. As the world watched, these men celebrated, prayed, cried, and worshiped.  The words come from Revelation 12:11, when John heard in a loud voice from heaven celebrating the defeat of Satan and his angels, who had “lost their place in heaven” (v. 8).  “They overcame him, by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (v. 11).

Thirdly, these men sang their testimony.  My impression is that they wanted the world to know that they were “overcomers” in Jesus.  John wrote in I John 4:4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  Wow!  On the world stage these men boldly dared to say that Satan has been defeated.  We are reminded that we too can be “overcomers.”

Fourth, imagine a rugby team singing about the “blood of the lamb.”  We read in Col. 2:15, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”  Praise God!  During the 2021 Olympics, Jesus’ victory over evil was declared to a world in desperate need of hope.  That’s powerful!  

Haggai is one of the shortest prophecies in the Old Testament.  Haggai wrote this in 538 B.C. to those returning from 70 years of captivity after the Babylonian empire had fallen to Cyrus, King of Persia.  They returned to a land devastated and were shocked to see a ruined temple – the center of their worship – left in shambles.

The people of God began to rebuild the temple but soon grew discouraged due to fierce opposition. Lacking commitment to finish the work, they began to settle for personal peace and prosperity, giving energy to building their own homes while neglecting the reconstruction of the temple.  God warned them that their lives would not improve, “…because my house… remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house” (1:9).  “Because of you,” God declares, “the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops” (1:10). 

Through Haggai, God reminded the people of their spiritual priorities, helping them to see that he was up to something: “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house” (2:9).  It was hard from them to visualize this.  God tells them, “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land” (2:6). God had his sovereign timetable for history and reassured them that He was working out His plan. 

God declared he “will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple.  I will fill this place with glory” (2:7 NLT).  The silver and gold belong to the Lord.  All the physical creation and all nations will bow to the sovereign Lord. In bringing some of this to pass, the emperor Darius even “instructed the opponents of the temple to pay the cost of the project from the royal revenue in their own taxation districts” (Bible Speaks Today – BST).  

As in the first coming of the Lord, this will also be seen in the second coming of our Lord.  “Jesus’ death and resurrection were both accomplished by a shaking of the earth (Mt. 27:51; 28:2).  But the final fulfillment lies in the future when, “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb” are the temple (Rev. 21:22 BST).

Men, we live in this period of a “little while.”  Be assured that God continues to bring about “great shaking.”  We read in Heb. 12:26, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  We, however, belong to an unshakable kingdom.  “…God is not an indifferent bystander.  He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire!” (Heb. 12:28-9 – Message).  

During this “little while” before Jesus returns, God is purifying and cleansing His church.  The shaking will continue for some time.  You might be shocked and dismayed at what you read in the popular media.  But remember God is moving us to a time when He will receive all the glory.  In the meantime, he is preparing something far greater than anything we could have imagined.  

Pray to keep your priorities straight, so that you are part of what God is doing for the future.  “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.  And in this place, I will grant peace” (2:9).   

Lord, help me to see where I’m too busy focused on meeting my own wants and desires rather than the needs of your Kingdom – and help me do something to change that. 

Habakkuk proclaims at the end of his prophecy, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Hab. 3:18).  He had seen God at work in some difficult times. In the beginning, however, he had cried out impatiently, “How long, O Lord” (1:2) lamenting, “Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.  Therefore, the law is paralyzed, and justice is perverted” (1:3).  What happened?  

In this brief book, we see that the prophet – like us – was learning to wait – “I will wait patiently” (1:16 BST – Bible Speaks Today).  He was learning to live by faith, being “transformed from an impatient prophet into a calm and expectant one” (2:4 BST).  With so much that did not make sense, he declared, “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me and what answer I am to give to this complaint” (2:1).

Now at the end of his prophecy, he responds with, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (3:18 BST).   Habakkuk was able to rejoice even though he was living through a time of devastation. “It is one thing to rejoice in our blessings; it is quite another to rejoice when blessings have been removed” (BST).  

Habakkuk’s prayer could be a model for us in the days to come.  Much of what we take for granted will be removed.  Even the church will suffer.  There will be some difficult times ahead. Could Habakkuk be expressing what we might experience in the days to come? “I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear.  My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror.  I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us” (3:16 NLT).  We may very well have to wait quietly, knowing there is little else we can do.

Habakkuk was prepared to rejoice in God no matter what happened around him. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the live crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the sheepfold and no cattle in the stalls,” he was learning rejoice, even in the midst of starvation and loss (3:17 BST).  

Habakkuk concludes by declaring, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength (3:19).  The prophet’s secret to enduring devastation was the strength he found in the Lord.  He declares that the Lord “makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the height” (3:19).  David also bore witness to the ability to move nimbly as a deer in the midst of danger (Ps. 18:33), “but whereas David composed his psalm at a time of victory, Habakkuk uses the words to express a faith which trusts God while it is still very dark” (BST). 

Like us, Habakkuk was learning to live by faith and not be sight (2:4).  This is the kind of “see through” faith that will be needed in the days to come.  I encourage every man reading this blog, to recommit today to trust Jesus more and more.  Take Paul’s words to heart: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:12-13 NLT).   

As we were in prayer at the end of one of our “Band of Brothers” meetings, I pictured myself falling off a pedestal.  I knew immediately what it meant: I had put myself on a spiritual pedestal as the facilitator of our group.  I was seeing myself as more spiritual than others. 

Beyond this, I was taking pride in my spiritual maturity, thinking I was a fairly transparent guy. But even in my vulnerability, I was putting my best spiritual face forward, and was fearful of what the men really thought of me. I have been struggling mightily in writing this blog, because I don’t want to admit my spiritual pride.  Paul tell us in Galatians, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself.  You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.  For we are each responsible for our own conduct” (Gal. 6:2-5 NLT).    

It is not easy for me to expose my “dirty laundry.”  My false self, with all its ego needs, dies a slow death.  I continue to struggle with appearance rather than face the realities of my own heart. It is hard to admit that at 80 years of age, I still pose and pretend.  It seems the Lord is using a group of men as an opportunity to come face to face with spiritual pride.  Lord, help me to be a more honest man.

Paul’s words in I Cor. 3:18-20 are convicting to me:  “Let no one deceive himself.  If anyone among you thinks that he is wise is in this age, let him become a fool [discarding his worldly pretensions and acknowledging his lack of wisdom], so that he may be come [truly] wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness (absurdity, stupidity) before God: for it is written [in Scripture], [He is] the one who catches the wise and clever in their craftiness” (Amplified).  I have been deceiving myself, thinking I am wise when I should be willing to be a fool.

I confess that I have been caught in the “craftiness” of thinking myself to be wise. I am learning to deconstruct this hidden tendency. I need to heed Jesus words: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). The following prayer is helping:

Lord, help me be more willing to become a fool for Christ, because I know you love me.  I don’t have to prove my worth or be concerned about my reputation. Because I still struggle with the need for approval from other men, help me remember that my affirmation needs to continually come from you.  

I need much grace and mercy not to get caught up in comparison.  It is awful trap I want to avoid.  Give me a genuine love to walk in the shoes of other men.  I also need to dismiss any thought of how far I have progressed on my spiritual journey.  Help me remember that the journey is not a matter of achievement, but rather of being.  

Open my eyes to see false humility – which is really rooted in self-pity and self-hatred. Help me forget about appearances, and to be as genuinely honest and open about my journey with you. Guide me in remembering that your power is made perfect in my weakness (II Cor 12:9).