30 April: Tuesday Refocus

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” - Romans 12:9-14

In a world that prides itself on radical individualism, perhaps there is nothing more counter-cultural than intentionally investing yourself into the community of faith - to know and be known. To serve and be served. In humility to count others as more significant than yourself. To contribute to the needs of the saints.

In a world that prides itself on the vilification of anyone who thinks differently, or mistreats us in any way - perhaps one of the most counter-cultural acts is to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. To cross the greater distance of relational divide. To bless and not to curse. To live peaceably with all people as far as it depends on you. Not to cancel people who have hurt us or abandon a relationship over a misunderstanding. Not to hurt people before they hurt us, but instead to seek the good of the other.

For followers of Jesus, when we love our enemies, what we are saying is ‘I know I once was an enemy of God, but because of Jesus, I have been completely forgiven. If God can forgive me of all my sins, how can I not offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me?’

Father, may these things be true of us by the indwelling and empowering work of your Spirit. In Christ’s name, amen.

Amen,

AB

6 February: Tuesday Refocus

“The first act of love is always the giving of attention.’ - Dallas Willard

The attention and affection of God cannot be splintered, divided, or diluted. And although we are poor and needy, the Lord takes thought for us (Psalm 40:17). Because his eyes saw the unformed substance of our being and every one of our days (Psalm 139:16).

May this day be filled with turning our attention and affection toward the One whose attention and affection are already fixed upon His people.

Father, we thank you for your love. Jesus, we thank you for displaying that love through the cross. Spirit, remind us of what is true when we are prone to forget. Amen.

Loved,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: July 25

“O Lord… You know me more deeply and fully than I know myself. You love me with a greater love than I can love myself. You even offer me more than I can desire… Take my tired body, my confused mind, and my restless soul into your arms and give me rest, simple quiet rest.” - Henri Nouwen

Before a word is on your tongue, it is fully known (Psalm 139:4). Because you are fully known.

Nothing will separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39) - because God’s love has no ending, and no beginning (Geerhardus Vos).

We want enough grace for this moment, God gives us grace upon grace upon grace upon grace (James 4:6).

Father, may these truths be as animating as they are restful. For Your glory in our good, in Christ’s name, amen.

Known,

AB

Tuesday Refocus: February 14

“If reconciliation is God’s chief business, it is ours.” - E. Stanley Jones

It is easy to confuse love with a feeling. Certainly, love causes our hearts to feel in extremes - affection and affliction. But love is too large to be contained in our emotions - it moves out in our actions. Could there be a greater representation of love in action than reconciliation?

Webster defines reconciliation as ‘the action of reconciling: the state of being reconciled.’

This is what God has done for us in Christ: “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18

The love of God moves toward us in the reconciling work of Christ. And we respond by becoming people who are given the ministry of reconciliation. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We are to be reconcilers because we have first been reconciled to God.

Perhaps the most loving thing this Valentine’s Day is not romantic gestures, but acts of reconciliation. Terminating a debt. Choosing again in this moment to forgive a wrong. Repairing what has been broken.

God, we confess that all sin is first against You. Thank You for Your great forgiveness. Help us to be people of forgiveness and reconciliation in our world. Amen.

Reconciling,

AB

Knowing If It's Time To Move On

Seasons end and new seasons begin. Sometimes these are endings we choose, sometimes they are thrust upon us. Sometimes things fade slowly over time, sometimes things are done in a moment. But how do you know if it is time to move on from a place where you have invested a season (or more) of your life?

There are no easy answers, but I do know that uprooting your life, your community, and your serving should give you pause. This is a decision that should be considered in prayer, seeking the discernment of the Holy Spirit, and being engaged in the community.

Ask questions. Am I running from something? If God is pursuing some specific space in our sin-sick hearts, you will never be able to outrun Him. You can avoid, and ignore all you want, but the same sin-sick heart will follow you everywhere. Do I think the grass is greener? Ministry is hard everywhere. Don’t allow one interaction or a rough season to send you spiraling, and searching for a better life somewhere else. What is the most loving thing to do at this moment?

Seek wise counsel. If you are lucky, maybe this is a pastor or elder at your church, who can help you navigate if God may be leading you toward a new season of life and ministry. Be wise in seeking your wise counsel - this is not for the purpose of gossip or airing of grievances, but inviting someone to walk with you as you seek the Spirit together.

Exhaust your options. Don’t run, press in again, and again, and again. By the empowering of the Holy Spirit, seek to live as Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Pray, pray, pray. Listen more than you speak.

Be honest, with yourself and others. Don’t lie, or exaggerate. But also be aware that not everyone is safe. That not everyone needs to hear the whole story. Sometimes the most loving thing to do, the most truthful thing to do, is to keep your mouth open to God and closed to others.

Benedictine monks take three vows: a vow of stability, a vow of fidelity, and a vow of obedience. Vows tether us and remind us of the larger story to which we belong. Vows hold us secure when things are hard and painful and we are tempted to give up, give in, or walk away. Most of us will not take vows to serve on staff, or as a volunteer within the local church - although we may take membership vows to our local church - but the picture of stability is one that we should all desire to emulate in our life as followers of Jesus, and wherever He leads.

The truth is, the church is made up of broken people. There will be sin and brokenness in every church we attend, serve, labor, and work. But there is a difference between sinful brokenness and toxic abuse. If you think you may be in an abusive situation, you need to get to help and safety quickly. Find a counselor, mentor, or therapist who can help you navigate the complexities of your situation.

Staying is hard. Leaving is hard. Learn from the wisdom and mistakes of others who have walked a similar path. I found this conversation between Beth Moore and Russell Moore to be so helpful on this topic. You can listen to it here.

September 20: Tuesday Refocus

“May I seek after an increase of divine love to thee, after unreserved resignation to thy will.” - Puritan Prayer

Love and surrender walk hand-in-hand. Because sacrifice is an indication of the depth of love: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

If we truly understood the depths of God’s mercy, we would have no hesitation in offering ourselves as a spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1). If we saw how deeply Christ had served us, we would wholeheartedly serve others (Matthew 20:28). If we knew that God first loved us, how constant we would love in response (1 John 4:19).

“Take my will and make it Thine; 

it shall be no longer mine. 

Take my heart, it is Thine own; 

it shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be

Ever, only all for Thee.”

Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879)

May it be so, Lord. Surrender and love are the obvious outward of Your generous love towards us as Your people. In Christ’s name, amen.

Ever, only, all for Thee,

AB

June 7: Tuesday Refocus

“Nothing will divide the church so much as the love of power.” - Saint John Chrysostom

These words from the Archbishop of Constantinople were written in 400 AD. But they cut as deeply today as they did then, and in every century since. Because we are those who quarrel and fight because of warring passions (James 4:1), we desire and do not have, so we murder. We covet and cannot obtain so we fight and quarrel (James 4:2).

Why would we desire, or seek anything else, when we are those who have been lavished with the steadfast love of God (1 John 3:1)? Why would we attempt to establish our allegiance when we are citizens of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36, Philippians 3:20). Why would we seek to be great, when it is better to be least in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19)? Why would we pursue a place of honor, when Christ invites the lowest to move higher (Luke 14:10)? Why would we dwell in the tents of the wicked, when it is better just to keep watch of the door to the house of God (Psalm 84:10)?

Lord, may you purify our desires, change our longings, and satisfy our hearts in humility. Everything that we could ever truly need is found in You. In Your name, amen.

Learning,

AB

Fine Art Of Worship

Worship is a fine art. As in any art, love is involved, and so is discipline. - Father Thomas Pinkel

More than songs.

More than music.

This fine art of worship is a reflection of Romans 12 - responding to the mercies of God in sacrifice to Him, and in-service toward others.

Love toward God comes from first experiencing God’s love toward us. Experiencing the love of God frees us to give love to even our enemies.

Discipline is the result of deep discipleship. As we offer ourselves in obedient, spiritual worship to God, our lives are given away for the glory of God and the good of people.

More than songs.

More than music.

May our leading in worship look like love and discipline in action.

May 31: Tuesday Refocus

“What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.” - Henri Nouwen

We are in a hurry, but love is patient and kind.

We to possess and consume, but love does not envy or boast. 

We want authority and ownership, but love is not arrogant or rude.

We force our own agenda, but love does not insist on its own way.

We are upset when our needs go unmet, but love is not irritable or resentful.

We glory in the failure of others, but love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, 

believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things.

Love never ends (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

Power creates distance, but love moves near.

Power protects, but love invites vulnerability.

If the watching world is to know us by our love for one another, we must first know that we love because God has first loved us (John 13:35, 1 John 4:19).

God we thank You that You have first loved us. That Your love moved near us in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ. May we be known by our love as we love You and others. In Jesus name, amen.

For love,

AB

February 15: Tuesday Refocus

“Confession and forgiveness are the concrete forms in which we sinful people love one another.” - Henri J.M. Nouwen

Grand, romantic gestures, gifts, and extravagance are often the visible markers of love the culture recognizes - particularly on Valentine’s Day.  But Scripture tells us, greater love has no one than this than they lay their life down for their friend (John 15:13).  But when Christ laid down His life for us, we were not friends of God.  In fact, we were His enemies, hostile toward Him (Rom 5:10).

Maybe there will come a day when you will be called upon to literally lay down your life on behalf of someone you love.  More likely, you will be called upon to lay down your life by dying to self, taking up your cross, and in humility thinking more highly of others as you confess your sins, and give and receive forgiveness (Gal 2:20, Col 3, Rom 12:3, Luke 9:23, James 5:16).  There are few things more vulnerable.  There are few things that display the kind of Christ-like love that is ours in and through His life and death.

Jesus, You have loved us with an everlasting, steadfast, immovable love.  May our love not just live in our hearts, but move our actions as we confess and forgive.  This is love too deep, and too difficult for us to accomplish in our own strength.  Help us to love with the power of Your Spirit.  Amen.

Love,

AB

October 19: Tuesday Refocus

‘Our minds cannot find calm repose until we arrive at the unmerited love of God.’ - John Calvin

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17).

Isn’t this the question we all ask?  What must I do?

It almost drips with desperation.  I have kept all of the commandments from my youth (Mark 10:20).  What else is there to do for salvation for the one who possesses the commandments, and great possessions (Mark 10:22)?

What must I do for peace of mind and peace with God?

What must I do?

If I do all of the right things maybe then I can inherit, possess, own eternal life.  But deep down, we all know that we are enemies of God, it is our own doing that put us here, and therefore no amount of our own doing can change our eternal reality.  Rather we are invited, by faith, to rest in the gift of grace (Rom 3:24-26).  We don’t do our way to salvation, we rest in the unmerited love of God:

‘…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.’ Ephesians 3:17-19

Lord, may we cease our striving, cease our doing, and rest in the work You have done on our behalf.  It is full, finished, and complete.  Forgive my heart which would like to add to that work, to take hold and possess that work as if I have done anything to merit it.  Allow me to arrive at your unmerited love, oh God.  Amen.

Resting,

AB

August 24: Tuesday Refocus

‘I beg you, Lord, let the fiery, gentle power of your love take possession of my soul, and snatch it away from everything under heaven, that I may die for love of your love as you saw fit to die for love of mine. Amen.’ - Francis of Assisi 

The love of God: 

Fiery enough to awaken hearts of stone and turn them to hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).  

Gentle enough to not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick (Isaiah 42:3).  

Perfect enough to cast out fear (1 John 4:18).

Deeper than feelings or emotions, it is the very person of God (1 John 4:8).

It is God who in love sends His Son (John 3:16).  

It is God who in love welcomes enemies as friends (Romans 5:10).  

And it is God who in love reveals Himself exposing any of our attempts to find love outside of Love Himself.

Lord, in the middle of our half-hearted pursuits, and divided affections, reveal a greater glimpse of Yourself to us.  For Your name sake, amen.

Love,

AB