And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me. (Genesis 33:10)

Does anyone remember growing up when you were in someplace reverent and peaceful with your parents, and perhaps you were not acting quite so reverent? Oh, I remember those Sunday mornings when I or my brothers were goofing around and being a bit too loud in church… and the look mom would give us said it all. No doubt we have all seen that look.

Or maybe you have seen someone looking at you with such adoration and love that your heart melted, and you were sure in your heart the love they had for you. In my life I am sure my mother had talent for both looks; others as well. I am most fortunate to know many faces who have looked at me with this love and approval; and I count these as some of my greatest blessings.

In the use of both of these characteristic “looks” I am sure I have developed my own talents. My sons knew when they had been bad. And I never miss a chance to tell them I love them, and I hope they see that also in my eyes. But I think we should all focus on this look of love and acceptance more often. After all the Bible does tell us to “love thy neighbor”. And what if there was a look we could give and receive which reflected the very Spirit of love of God. I have witnessed this. In the eyes of a complete stranger; we had no prior relationship, just a conversation about God’s Love.  I can tell you when you have met the Holy Spirit of God through someone’s eyes what you will see and hear and know in every fiber of your being is the simple message of God, “I Love you”.

So, in today’s disconnected and largely electronic social experience we post or twit or snap out our thoughts. Without making a political statement about that I just want to impress upon how important it is to do more posting with “FaceLook”; the idea of spending real quality time in eye contact with someone; the idea of being in the presence and time with one another – simply loving and accepting them for who they are…  Hopefully at the same time, you have or are developing your relationship with God so that His facial expressions become more your own. In other words, what you are “faceLook” posting will probably be a reflection of what you are spending time around…? In God’s Grace we all grow to see just how important this is. We must grow to know the Love of God not just for our own wealth and happiness but more so we can share the Love of God with others. And when we get good at this perhaps someone will look back and say, “I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.”

I pray we all get better at looking at each other with the Love of God that He has shared in your hearts… Perhaps you will take time with someone today; to tell them about God’s Love through FaceLook.

a chaplain

¹  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; ²  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; ³  And did all eat the same spiritual meat; ⁴  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ…

… ¹¹  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. ¹²  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. ¹³  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
¹⁴  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:1-14 / KJV)

As we mentioned last this subject, “baptism” will compass several messages. So far we have established only – What: is baptism. Simply stated – baptism is a symbolic act which taken in right context substantially effects the participant in a supernatural way. In this understanding it is both symbol and substance. A manword aspect, symbolic act – and a Godword aspect, conveyed Grace unto Salvation.

Next question then naturally is, “who” may receive this baptism? Debate on this basically falls into two major camps, each quoting scripture as their defense of doctrine. Remember this if I never teach you anything; if a doctrine or interpretation of a scripture negates or contradicts any other scripture, that same interpretation is in whole or in part wrong. This is why I have chosen the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth. Corinth was a mixed-up bunch and Paul specifically wrote to resolve their doctrinal and practical problems.

So if you demand the individual baptized be of age and understanding in order to receive this blessing you probably point to something like… Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” True Jesus did make this statement but in the context of (please look that up and see for yourself the context) a parting call to his disciples to “GO” preach the Gospel. He was not setting rules for who is baptized. He was commanding His disciples to go, preach, and baptize.

And if you demand the individual be baptized as an infant without regard to age or understanding you probably point to something like… Mathew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Assumed by this doctrinal interpretation is that the term “all nations” includes “all” regardless of age, race, color, gender, even physical or mental handicap.

I assume in my interpretation two theological rules: 1) scripture interprets scripture. 2) interpretations of scripture cannot be contradictory or negate other scripture. From here we go back to why Paul was writing his letter to Corinth. This group in Corinth was placing too many requirements on membership for the church; some too exclusive, some too inclusive. Specifically, Paul addresses baptism by reminding them of its symbolic nature. Paul is speaking directly about the doctrine of baptism. As an example, he is stating baptism relates all the way back to the event when God by Moses brought Israel through the Red sea. The first commandment is “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Note here, God acted and man obeyed to effectively baptize “all” the people; men, women, children, slaves… without their have a clue as to what had happened theologically; Egypt being a type of sin and death , baptism then the act of bringing them out of sin.

So our short take away from this is – we use the old testament examples and we interpret “all” were baptized. We can identify 30 or more scriptures in the Bible on baptism in which several refer to “all” baptized including everyone in the household. Also being careful not to interpret as to exclude any other scripture interpretation. Finally, we read Paul’s words as he continued… “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit…” and “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.”

The most correct understanding then of “who” should be baptized is in the confirmation of “what” baptism is; an action of both God and man each having specific authority and responsibilities.  As disciples and believers in Jesus Christ we are called to baptize “all”. Nowhere did God in his actions through Moses; in His actions in Jesus, or in His commandment through scripture ever give men authority to decide who is saved and who is not. We should remember God is in control of this “all”. By His Spirit and good work we have “all been made” partakers of this experience; each one “just as He pleased.” Finally, the key point both scriptures debated above do agree on is that as disciples we have been commanded to go and preach making disciples of “all” nations and peoples. We have been given responsibility. If we accept that God has brought every moment and every circumstance to be… we should simply obey His command baptizing “all” in the name of the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit; all who understand; all in the household perhaps without understanding – and trust God’s Grace in this sacrament (the Godword side) is secure to whomever He pleases.

God has full authority. We have full responsibility… ALL should receive baptism !

a chaplain

¹⁸  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, ¹⁹  by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, ²⁰  who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. ²¹  There is also an antitype which now saves us–baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²²  who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him…   ¹⁰  As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 3:18-22 – 4:10 – NKJV)

As we embark on this message just know the subject cannot be thoroughly covered in one short writing. The subject we hope to understand is baptism. This one word encompasses the entire genesis of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all believers. This may take a few messages to completely explain.

Before we dive into (no pun intended) the various doctrines among Christians for who should be baptized, when, where and how… I chose this specific scripture to try to convey a simple first point… baptism is a symbol. And most critical to understand is baptism is a symbolic act which taken in right context substantially effects the participant in a supernatural way.

Above I have emboldened three key statements. First, we should know and understand that baptism whatever it is and does has been made primarily effective by the A) the single action of Jesus Christ. Baptism the symbol, as we will learn, echoes the death burial and resurrection of Christ. Therefore to B) bring people to God in and through the continued work of The Holy Spirit. So, in perspective we know first this is God doing the something we merely participate in – Christ suffered once that He might bring us to God.

Second, we should understand our actions are symbolic in nature but this same action affects our very salvation. In verse 21 the word translated is “antitupon” – which means symbol, a representation, or a like figure of something. But notice Peter states clearly “which now saves us…” One thing most Christian denominations do all agree on is this symbolic action on our part does really and substantially convey the Grace of God unto salvation. There is a great deal more to it than this but when taken in right context, that is by faith in this primary first action of Christ, the participant is saved.

Finally, this same real and total salvation conveyed is a gift. (we already know something about God’s gifts…)  The text here is the Greek word “charisma”. Now the context in which Peter speaks about this he is talking to adult, born again believers. Peter is writing to Christians who are trying to walk out their faith during a time of significant suffering and persecution. That begins to speak as well about the various gifts of the Holy Spirit. But regardless of the context there is no mistaking the clear language used as defining what we received in baptism. This word charisma or gift blends the two concepts of incredible joy and delight with the concept of unmerited or undeserved favor. The “charis” in this term is also the word “Grace”; the unmerited favor of almighty God. It is this incredible joyous delightful free gift of God’s unmerited favor; now conveyed through a symbolic action; a Grace effective unto salvation; this is baptism.

a chaplain

¹  Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD. …  ³  Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? ⁴  If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die.”…  ⁹  Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.”  (2 Kings 7:1-9 , NKJV)

My Pastor had a very interesting question last week, “Does Christmas make a difference in your life?” No doubt, one or two honest listeners realized the deep meaning of the Christ child in the world probably did not make any tangible difference in their lives day to day. So, is it possible we left this gift under the tree; unopened? Opening God’s gifts is a very practical thing to do.

Let’s take away three key points from the scripture story above… First, verse 1 – the gift of God is the Word of God for you. Our first practical act should be to consistently read the Word of God with expectation. It is by this relationship with God that His Holy Spirit is able to communicate to you those promises most relevant to any challenge you are facing. There is a word spoken to everyone, but this same Word is quickened in your heart as meaningful. This is your gift.

Next, verse 3 – Now the prophet’s words were spoken to all the people. And to this select few occurs the ultimate revelation of truth, “Why are we sitting here until we die?” Second key point, that same Word of God of promise to you is true and real so, why not walk by faith? Why not take hold and receive this gift to you as promised? Why not you? Satan’s greatest weapon is to place the doubt before the gift of promise, so we wonder if God will deliver. Sometimes the action of walking by faith begins with something as simple as interrupting that doubt, “if I will receive this or not” with the truth… either way I have nothing to lose, so why not receive this now. To open is to believe the gift in my heart with total abandon… as if I have nothing to lose.

And finally, to walk this gift of God out by faith is again a very practical process that is, to believe is to “be the living expression” of the gift promised for others too.  Our leprous friends in this scripture realized the gift spoken by the prophet was greater than their needs alone. And in that simple revelation you can see a very necessary next step to receiving God’s gifts. Not matter what your situation or trial or circumstance God receives Glory by your expression of faith and sharing of the truth with others; sharing the gift you are believing for with others.  These words – James 1:2-7, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” – express this very pragmatic truth. If you believe Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world (gift of Luke 2:11) then share that truth by living like Jesus saved you. If you believe God for healing (gift Exodus 15:26) then share that truth by expressing and expecting healing. If you believe there is more to your life and circumstance than just sitting here until you die (gift Deuteronomy 30:19) then begin today by choosing to live as every Word of God’s promises for all the world to see.

I pray you do not have gifts under the tree still unopened. But if this gift is to be opened; if this Christmas miracle is going to make a difference in this world it must begin with you; wherever you are, in whatever circumstance you find yourself; begin to walk by faith – become the living word of truth by expressing it to others in everything you are and everything you do.

a chaplain

Nehemiah 8:8-12 (NKJV)
⁸  So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. ⁹  And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. ¹⁰  Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” ¹¹  So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” ¹²  And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

Don’t you just love church services during the Christmas Season? The song choices are always familiar old tunes we grew up with. It’s difficult to sing some of them without getting choked up and tears flowing as we remember Christmas past, family, friends… The age-old Christmas story; the familiar decorations and traditions. Christmas services bring us together as a great big family. Look around at your church any church during the holidays, especially that Christmas Candle Light Service; you see friends and family at those services you haven’t seen for years?

In fact, there seems to be quite a few “cultural Christians” among our family and friends. The urban dictionary uses the term “chreaster” for these who only seem to show up for service Christmas and Easter. But there is something quite odd about this phenomenon. It is ironic, churches spend enormous energy to encourage weekly attendance and support by trying to keep things new and exciting and imaginative… when the services that bring in the most attendance and support are the couple that are stating the same old message and playing the same old tunes year after year?

I recall a seminary professor once failing me in “homiletics”; the sermon message. I preferred to expound what the scripture revealed in each message. He said I needed to always bring the people back to the central theme no matter what the scripture subject. I won’t go into our differences about the central theme. But I will say the professor is right with respect to the reason for gathering, hearing the Word, and responding to the Spirit; whether once a week or once a year. This being true, let’s reflect then the central theme of the Christmas service as we read from the Book of Nehemiah.

First, there must be a gathering to God as a people desiring to hear and understand. Without question we all make special efforts to attend church at Christmas. Perhaps it makes mom or grandma happy. Perhaps we look forward to seeing old friends and family. And perhaps we just might realize we have been dry or not heard from God for a long time and we know in our heart we need this message… The people in Nehemiah’s story had not heard the Word for many years. The people in the story in Bethlehem had not heard from a prophet for 400 years. How long has it been since you heard from God?

Next we make a special effort to attend church at Christmas because “momma said so!” Oh, how many complaints I have heard about “I don’t go to church because my parents forced me to go when I was little.” The people in Nehemiah’s story respected the authority of the governor and priests who called the meeting. Everyone in the Christmas story submitted to authority; the governor had called the senses; Joseph agreed to stay with Mary; Mary who submitted to this miracle event body mind and spirit. True enough we do submit to “momma” at Christmas, but how significant is it so many do not respect mom or the God of creation enough to attend church more regularly?

Finally, without a doubt, we all feel something of the spirit of joy during Christmas. We enjoy gathering with friends and family. We enjoy giving to the less fortunate at Christmas. We share tears of joy with one another even when remembering love one’s past or away. The people in Nehemiah’s story where so filled with tears that the preacher had to call their attention to it. No doubt in the true events of the Christmas story there were a few tears; of childbirth; of the newborn baby; of the joy found in the true miracle of that first Christmas.

As you enjoy again this season, the true Christmas story… I pray you understand the message. There is a message every week ya know…  I pray this story makes a difference in your life… every story in the Bible reveals life changing truth if you come, gather and listen. And I pray in hearing again this year you will, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” The Christmas message is full of Joy and celebration! God loves you; The Christ child is born; Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord! I pray this same old message keeps you coming back for more and more!

a chaplain

2 Chronicles 15:1-7 (NKJV)
¹  Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
²  And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. ³  For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; ⁴  but when in their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. ⁵  And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands. ⁶  So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. ⁷  But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!”

When we read the Old Testament we can learn from Israel’s experiences as examples. This snippet in time gives us a glimpse of the very real concept of “Spiritual cause and effect.” The once great nation of Israel has imploded over the previous 500 years or so and is here reduced to a small province in Persia; Judah. The surrounding nations are in constant conflict with one another. There is no land to retreat to which might be peaceful and safe. Israel fears for its very existence and is ready to make a treaty with Syria for protection.

This “effect” of fear, no peace, and great turmoil has been caused by verses 2 and 3. The shepherd become king, David has long since been replaced with a succession of kings who slowly stopped trusting in God for provision and security and moved toward worldly possessions, worldly influence, and a faith in faith – which is the assumption of Godly ideals without a real knowledge or relationship with Him. It was not that Israel did not have priests but these had become false teachers; assuming elements of the faiths of other nations until the Law was all but abandon. The cause then is not a retaliating God but that in the absence of relationship and obedience to God the people have set themselves up for problems; “The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” This is not as much an action of God but rather the evidence of spiritual cause and effect.

So how should we make use of this… One, we might realize God never abandon or broke His covenant with Israel. He was always with them (“I will never leave you nor forsake you”) but by their false religion trusting in other things, they had rendered God to no effect. Next the promise is real, “if you seek Him, He will be found by you.” Finally in seeking be careful to find a teacher who is not offering faith in faith. Doctrines of men can be changed to fit the social emotion of the moment in fact because they are “of men.” Do not seek to make a treaty with the house of what’s happening now. While there are very good pastors around, the most perfect teacher I know is the Holy Spirit; The Word of God said, “ … I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. ³⁴  No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34 )

Our cause action is always to receive from the Holy Spirit in surrender. We cannot achieve God’s Grace; it is a gift. We cannot act with power to gain God’s promises; they are free and true as we yield to His Grace. Trust is not faith in faith, but surrender to the truth that this promise has already been given. In Jeremiah 31, we have been given “spiritual hands” in Christ Jesus. Be strong in opening those hands to His Spirit for your work shall be rewarded. This reward of calm, confident, peace and security and fulfillment of His promises… cause and effect.

a Chaplain

Matthew 1:1-17 (NKJV)
¹  The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:                …¹⁷  So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

            Now if you take the time to read this passage in your Bible you cannot help but notice “all the generations”  turns out to be a pretty sorted cast. Matthew’s point here is Jesus’ lineage from Abraham through King David and so on. But the details reveal something even more valuable. I recall once a comedian’s skit about a mother who tried to make a cake for her son, and the humorous back and forth as the young boy repeatedly challenged his mother about how deformed, lop sided, and pathetic the cake turned out. The boy finally commenting … “that don’t look like what’s on the box.”

The verses then 2 through 16 include: Jacob, who stole the birthright from his brother; Joram, Ahaz and Jeconiah which history records as some of the most wicked and terrible rulers of Israel. Four women are included; Bathsheba who with David committed adultery; Ruth the Moabite, a family tree wrought through incest into this lineage; Rahab was a prostitute; and Tamar lied and pretended to be a prostitute to trick her way into the family.

But the prophets have always told us God’s ways are not our ways. In fact what we need to realize then about this scripture is God by His Holy Spirit has intentionally managed this lineage, good and bad, to protect and fulfill His promise to humanity. This Gift, this promise of Christ the Messiah, would have appeared hopeless by any natural account during the process. And so it is sometimes with our hopes for God’s promises. Perhaps we may have come from a sorted lineage as well. We may reason we have not done the right things or followed the right path. Maybe things just don’t look right? But God works through each of our paths and our circumstance especially for the purpose of expressing His Grace. His Grace, just like this passage in scripture has begotten you now in Christ with your family tree changed forever. And now where ever you may see yourself in circumstance, maybe in need of God promises or miracle, we must know from God’s example in Christ and scripture and not lose hope.

The Grace conveyed to you through baptism and your continence of faith is alive and working in you. In this Christmas season of gifts and fulfilled promises we pray you receive a renewed hope and vitality of faith. Believe in the miracle of Jesus, born of the Spirit. Ask God to open up to you the fullness of this gift and promise where ever you are. And don’t fear if for now “this don’t look like what’s on the box”. Believe, as together we walk by faith and not by sight and receive the sure Word of God in Grace and promise.

A chaplain

The scripture chosen here is, 2 Peter 1:1-4 (NKJV)
¹  Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
²  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
³  as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
⁴  by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

So I offered the connection that we have access to “many things” promised by God. In affect what we have received by faith, mainly Salvation in Christ, was only a beginning. Now occasionally we notice Christians have a tendency to see this fact, Salvation by Grace, as progressive not static. These brothers and sisters seem to think their “Saved” status needs sanctification or growth. Some folks even to the extent feel we have power to lose salvation.  Please do not believe that. In fact this act “of God” was/is not within our power to gain or lose… Salvation is by faith through Grace. (Eph 2:8) Faith is our revelation; that we have become aware of the action by God… this can be stronger or weaker based on knowledge of Christ Jesus. This Grace can be conveyed (faith or knowledge gained)  in a number of ways also.  But the action was Grace; and very importantly salvation for you was a singular fact of Grace revealed.

Simply stated greater faith does not get you more saved. Greater faith does not make you more worthy of Grace. What Peter is stating here is this “like faith” (this divine revelation which can and will strengthen by our effort) can net the believer multiplied Grace… Brothers and sisters, there is more to this life in Christ than our singular point of Grace, Salvation. The Word of God has “promises” available to you which may be received. We have been given access to all by Grace, the first point. And now we must go on to receive more points of Grace; more promises. – “Grace and peace be multiplied to you…”

And our means of access and gain? We limit this discussion by simply stating the scriptural truth spoken by Peter; these promises are obtained by faith, our singular but ever growing knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in God and Knowledge of God are synonymous. And divine conveyance of knowledge/faith ?

Well, this Revelation of God / revealed promises is a theme (the how, the why, the when) which we will expand in the future, but let’s close with this… That you are saved was the singular fact of Grace now revealed in you by faith; Knowledge of God / Faith of God has been revealed in you. Now there are infinite promises found through greater knowledge of God. We must go on to build this most Holy Faith. We must believe God’s own divine power has been given to us to receive; so that we may reveal to this time and place more of God’s Glory. In God, promises have been made… in you and me promises will be kept. We are mere vessels of the promise(s) -The Glory of God!

a Chaplain

Today’s scripture was John 14:1-7.

John 14:1-7 (YLT)
¹  `Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, also in me believe; <sup>2</sup>  in the house of my Father are many mansions; and if not, I would have told you; I go on to prepare a place for you; <sup>3</sup>  and if I go on and prepare for you a place, again do I come, and will receive you unto myself, that where I am ye also may be; <sup>4</sup>  and whither I go away ye have known, and the way ye have known.’ <sup>5</sup>  Thomas saith to him, `Sir, we have not known whither thou goest away, and how are we able to know the way?’
⁶  Jesus saith to him, `I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one doth come unto the Father, if not through me; ⁷  if ye had known me, my Father also ye would have known, and from this time ye have known Him, and have seen Him.’

Often we get bogged down in our “Christianity” thinking too much about what we must do or who we must be in order to become pleasing to God. Jesus speaks these words to His disciples as a kind of change of vision. A new paradigm only seen through the eyes of someone indwelt with the Holy Spirit.  When we attempt to act as Christians we are not in sin of course, but we are simply missing the point. This “where I go” Jesus is speaking of is not a temporal place. It is an eternal beingness only found through faith.  A “being” one with God which is eternal and true and living. Now by faith we have access to many things promised by God. This is well and good but the very first thing to be, that is to believe when you are a Christian, is by this faith in Christ redemption of our sinful natures we become a new creature born of the Holy Spirit; one with God for eternity. This place where Jesus is – is not temporal – it is eternal life. It is not a place we must travel to or achieve by our strength. It is a place we can follow Jesus to, found in surrender and submission to God; in God’s timing; in God’s way of communication – by His Word. This is the way… this is the truth… this is the life.

We will work out many things together if you are willing to follow along and surrender to the Word of God in Truth. I pray God will help us grow together and find this place of being. I look forward to our conversations –  but this is a fine place to start.

a Chaplain