Entry #8 -- Who Engages Whom?

As an educator, it amazes me how the wording of educational concepts is continually evolving. And since I will be using a few choice expressions used within the educational setting, I want to make it perfectly clear at the onset, that my blog contains my own thoughts. In no way is this entry reflective of the institution for whom I work—in either a positive or negative means.  It is simply my own personal observance of a unique correlation between one specific educational term—and its direct relationship to a more church-oriented term.

Here is my general observation:  There seems to be no shortage of instructional books for teachers regarding the engaged reader/learner; or, on how to engage one’s students in the educational setting.  Strategies include everything from capturing the attention of students with a wide variety of kinesthetic (that means “hands-on”) activities -- to modified creative marketing tactics using craft demonstrations and explanations to “guide” students in self-learning.

The educational theory has its foundation in the premise that students do not always learn as they should because teachers fail to engage them in the learning process.  Stated in the reverse, if teachers would engage their students, then students would be more apt to learn.

Already, I have used the word engage at least half a dozen times. So what does the word engage mean?  Most definitions relate the verb form of engage to attracting and holding the attention of someone for a specified reason. Other definitions imply making a choice to commit oneself to someone or something.

It is at this point my thoughts drift to Sunday morning worship.  The question occupying my thoughts is this:  Who engages whom?  In education, the onus is on the teacher to create lessons designed to engage their students.  It would not surprise me if seminaries also taught pastors to create sermons designed to engage their congregations.  If the truth be told, this is probably why many people attend church.  They are waiting for someone or something to engage them—someone or something to capture and hold their attention (aka “entertain”) them.

Ah, and therein lies the rub—It is my opinion that we do not, and should not, attend church to BE engaged, but rather TO engage.  I would submit that it is not God who engages us in worship, but rather it is we who should engage God in worship.  We are His creation and it is our responsibility to worship (which means give reverent honor and homage to--) God.  Our purpose for attending worship should be to ENGAGE: capture and hold God’s attention through prayer, praise, the reading of His Word, music, and the bringing of our tithes and offerings. Our total and complete desire should be to ENGAGE: commit ourselves to Him. Furthermore, our goal should be to leave Sunday morning worship still fully engaged in worship—ready to capture and hold God’s attention throughout the entire week as we continue to pray and praise Him in all aspects of life.

If you have read any of my former blogs, you know I tend to leave you with a thought-provoking twist.  Could it be that when you leave church on Sunday morning, and you are feeling less than satisfied, that the onus is actually upon YOU as a worshiper?  Could it simply be that you forgot to engage God in your multitude of worship activities?  If you expect God to respond to you, then make certain everything you do, everything you think, everything you say, everything you pray, and everything you sing—is something that will ENGAGE: capture and hold God’s attention, as well as, demonstrate clear evidence of your ENGAGEMENT: commitment to Him.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14  (NIV)

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Colossians 3:17  (NIV)

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian

Entry #7 - When all you can say is, "Merci!"

Sometimes I get the feeling that because I like to write, people think somehow I must be different from everyone else in this world.  I assure you, I am not.  I feel deep pain and ache in my heart over the death of loved ones just as you do—and I miss them so incredibly much each passing day!  My heart cries out daily that my boys would always make choices that draw them closer to a loving relationship with their Heavenly Father, just as you cry out for your children.  I get frustrated with peripheral demands of my job (which in reality actually hinder me from doing the work) just as you do.  Oh, and let’s not even get started on society and politics!  I often fail miserably at many things.  And, I cannot count the number of times I surely have been a disappointment to my Heavenly Father.  I am not perfect.  I am real.  I am human.  I am very guilty of publicly plowing through life with an effervescent smile on my face and the classic “Oh, I’m fine, thanks!” response; sometimes it’s just easier that way.

If you have been following my blog, by this time you are well aware of my affinity for interesting vocabulary.  I really can’t help it—it’s the teacher in me. However, when I review my daily failings, the word that surfaces to the top is mercy.  Most definitions concur that mercy is the ability to have compassion on the one who is at fault.   My friend smiles at me and loves me even though while be-bopping along in my own little world I just blurted out, “Oh, hi! How are you doing?”  Her heart is full of pain from the recent loss of a loved one, but she has mercy on me anyway.  As a result, I am blessed because she has chosen to personify God’s plan:

“He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”   Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Having been raised in a Christian home, surrounded by Christian family and friends, I would have to say there are not many major sins in my life.  I don’t steal. I don’t murder.  I don’t smoke, drink, or use foul language.  But oh, the sins of the heart are many. I suffer from the natural ability to be inattentive to what really matters.  I do not make the most of every opportunity God gives me.  I have a tendency to focus on the problem rather than the solution.  When I am with friends who whine and complain about anything; then all too quickly I find myself trying to compete.  Since God does not grade sins by degrees of sinfulness…sin is sin…I am a sinner.  I need a Savior.  I need His mercy. 

What I know in my heart is this:

“He who conceals his sins [and folks, it doesn’t matter what kind or how big; sin is sin in God’s eyes] does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”  Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)

Therefore, each day I share in the poignant prayer of King David:

“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.”   Psalm 25:4-7 (NIV)

The cool thing is that God has already provided the answer. Not only this, but He understands our need for repetition and reassurance:

“You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us.”  Micah 7:18b-19 (NIV)

“The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”  James 5:11 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul and I share something in common:

“I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”  1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)

And so, I sing:

Depth of mercy! can there be

            Mercy still reserved for me?

                        Can my God his wrath forbear?

                                    Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood his grace;

            Long provoked him to his face;

                        Would not harken to his calls;

                                    Grieved him by a thousand falls.

Now incline me to repent;

            Let me now my sins lament;

                        Now my foul revolt deplore,

                                    Weep, believe, and sin no more.

The above is an untitled hymn written by Charles Wesley and taken from:

The Advent Christian Hymnal: A Collection of Hymns and Tunes for Public and Social Worship.  1894. 24^th ed. Boston: Advent Christian Publication Society, 1930. Print.

No, I haven’t forgotten the title of this blog.  The French word for “Thank you” is Merci.  And it is all I can say when my Heavenly Father reaches down to me in His infinite MERCY.

~~~~~ Weep, believe, and sin no more. ~~~~~

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian

Entry #6 -- To Like, or not to Like? This definitely IS the question!

So I’m just scrolling along FB enjoying the posts (or most of them) while I sip on my morning coffee…and for some reason I began to give serious attention to specific wording of posts and from whom the posts were sent.  According to Facebook Help Center www.facebook.com , “Clicking Like is a way to give positive feedback and connect with things you care about.”  Well, that’s pretty cool and fairly self-explanatory.  Except…my friends…my Christian friends… do they actually READ what they are Like-ing? Not so sure.

At first glance, it looks great!  If you were encouraged to:

Eat the delicious food.  Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean.  Say the truth that you’re carrying in your heart like hidden treasure.  Be silly.  Be kind.  Be weird.

Wouldn’t you agree that it sounds positively refreshing?  Yeah, just be me for a change!

However, here is the whole post (sun-gazing.com), and when I saw it this morning it already had 214,496 Likes, over 5,202 Comments, and 914,336 Shares.

Note to self:

None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after thought. Eat the delicious food. Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean. Say the truth that you’re carrying in your heart like hidden treasure.  Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There’s no time for anything else.

Really?  Seriously?

Now I am in no way degrading the good folks at sun-gazing.com; merely saying I’m not so sure I agree, and I definitely cannot Like this post in all good Biblical consciousness. Here is my humble opinion on the matter.

“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  They will say, ‘Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’”   2 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  But you, keep your head in all situations…”   2 Timothy 4:3-5a (NIV)

Additionally, both Matthew (chapter 24) and Luke (chapter 17) remind us that in the days of Noah and in the days of Lot, everyone was going about their business as if there were no tomorrow.  Great destruction came suddenly in both cases. Yet there were survivors in each case—those who remained faithful.  So I would rephrase the original quote: 

SOME of us ARE getting out of here alive—those who remain faithful and are alive when Christ returns, and those who remained faithful and though physically dead are resurrected when Christ returns. 

I would further submit what we do with our time DOES matter. 

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.  Romans 14:12

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.  1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16

And finally, I would amend the last statement of the original quote:

There’s no time for anything else—EXCEPT:

“…to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”  Titus 2:13-14 (NIV)

“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”  2 Peter 3:14 (NIV)

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.  Revelation 22:20 (NIV)

Not sure about you, but I Like that!

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian

Entry #5 -- Armor Basics 101

Perhaps because I consider myself just a “budding” author, I still struggle from time to time with organizational issues.  I have notes everywhere, and I really do mean just exactly that!  My favorites are those I jot down on napkins, scraps of paper, old receipts floating around in my purse, and even gum wrappers.  I keep a notepad and pen on my nightstand—and I don’t even bother to turn on the light—just knowing the scribbles are there helps me get back to sleep.  I know I can always decipher the scribbled thoughts in the morning (AFTER coffee).  However, one such blurb truly had me stumped. The hidden message within the squiggly letters completely eluded me.

My memory was finally triggered the other day with the recall of “Sword Drills.”  Those of us who grew up in Sunday School probably remember getting out our Bibles and racing to see who could be first to find a particular scripture passage. Sometimes the victor received a sticker on his/her Bible chart. Now that was pretty cool back then!

Back to my note…  I had been driving across town and along the way saw several churches posting signs for their VBS (Vacation Bible School).  One sign borrowed a well-known dairy slogan and said something like; “Got armor?”  That was it! That was what I had scribbled down in the middle of the night.  You see it occurs to me, those of us who grew up in an earlier generation might be very familiar with the concept of “putting on the armor of God,” while newer Christians may not understand what that phrase fully means.  Hence the blog title: Armor Basics 101.

Our first stop is Science class for a quick review of metals. Okay, stay with me, I promise this won’t be too painful!  Any one of dozens of science or chemistry websites can provide expert explanations. For our purposes, we simply need to know there are metals (pure) and alloys (mixtures).  For example: Copper is pure; brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; bronze is an alloy of usually copper, tin, and aluminum.  Okay, did you survive? Are you still with me?  Finally, in Science class we also need to acknowledge that some metals are softer/harder than others which means that some metals are more malleable (changes its shape more easily) than other metals. This is why aluminum cans crush more easily than the old fashioned tin cans.  It is also why, after 32 years of wonderful marriage, my wedding band has taken on the peculiar imperfect circular shape of my finger. Congratulations! You have survived Science class.

Our next stop is History class for a quick glance at timelines.  Don’t worry, you made it through science, you can do this! Stay with me! For this class I will be using a resource called Bible Time Line (Rose Publishing, 2001).  Here we learn The Old Testament began during the Bronze Age. Cool, they were already mixing metals! The time period for the Biblical Judges and the Trojan Wars began about the same time as the Iron Age. Apparently more battles also meant the need for stronger weapons. Next in history comes the time period of the Biblical Prophets, still within the Iron Age.  This brings us to the time of the Prophet Isaiah (c. 760-673 BC), which just barely preceded the general time of the start of Olympic games and the founding of Rome.  

Ahhh! So here we are at last! The Prophet Isaiah. Soon thereafter, Rome. Romans. Battles. Conquests. Armor. 

Isaiah confronts the people with a sobering warning:

“So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.  Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.”  Isaiah 59:14, 15 (NIV)

Look what comes next…

“The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice…He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head…”  Isaiah 59:15 and 17 (NIV)

Paul was not a Roman soldier, but for a while he was chained to one 24-7, and thus he would have been very familiar with Roman armor. Paul was also raised by the teachings of the most scholarly of Jews, and therefore he would have known this passage from Isaiah.  It is undoubtedly this combination of factors that leads Paul to encourage the Ephesians:

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”   Ephesians 6:13-18 (NIV)

Each piece of armor deserves its own blog.  I’m fairly certain I have already pushed the limits of your attention span, so I will simply say this: 

Our sword/weapon is the Word of God.  If you do not have a weapon, you may fight, but you will most likely not win.  If you do not have God’s Word in your heart, you are defenseless.  Study God’s Word.  Read it daily. Commit it to your mind and memory.

Most Roman helmets had some type of finial or plumage, sometimes denoting rank, sometimes identifying units.  Today sports teams have different colors; obviously one would not want to tackle his own teammate.  As a Christian our helmet, and identification, is Salvation. That doesn’t seem to be a problem when we sit together in church.  My question would be; when you are at work, out in public, or online, is your helmet of salvation visible? Can people clearly tell whose team you’re on?

We are living in difficult times, seemingly returning to the corruption that filled the days of Isaiah’s time.  Justice is slipping and it’s pretty tough to see truth anywhere.  If you speak out against evil, you open yourself to become the prey/target.  Nevertheless; as Christians, we are called to be strong and stand our ground.  Having received his permission, I will leave you with a quote from Myles Holmes (Revive USA) because he states it quite clearly and concisely:

“It is time to have all your spiritual armor on.”

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian