I have talked to Christians who objected to the idea of becoming a better Christian. I would not call them lazy. They languidly pointed out that Christ Jesus has already done all that can be done to please God. Moreover, God has already programmed each person’s future. Service may come. If they need preparation or discernment, God will provide. They cite Ephesians 2: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (More) They sit back and enjoy the ride on the train from St. Augustine to Calvinville. Those, ahem, determined believers are rare. Few Christians are completely passive. God calls us holy and saints. Most of us want to match such titles with improved thought, feelings, and action. So it was with college students John Wesley (1703-1791), his brother Charles, and some friends. They formed a club that advanced the following 22 yes or no questions to track daily their lifelong pursuit of holiness. Tally how well you do on these 22 questions. I’ve rephrased some so that answers of “yes” are always desirable. 22 “yes” answers puts you close to Jesus.
I find this is a tough list. What else would you consider? How about "Have I been kind?Have I encouraged anyone? Have I forgiven? Have I gone the second mile? ..." Connsider the story of “The Good Samaritan” in Luke chapter 10. The two jerks who passed by the injured man could congratulate themselves: Yes! I preserved my ritual purity and journeyed on to fulfill my appointed godly duties. Yay me. Jesus asked concerning the three passers-by, “which was the neighbor?” Jesus did not hesitate to ask clear but challenging questions. A scorecard like the above can be a private record. Wesley's use was in a small group. Wesley's journal notes how encouragements of coworkers helped him. The Moses of Methodists John Wesley later made four resolutions that also can present as yes or no questions. A. Am I absolutely open and unreserved with all I should converse with? B. Do I labor in continual seriousness, not willingly indulging myself in any the least levity of behavior, or in laughter; no not for a moment. C. Do I speak no word that does not tend to the glory of God; in particular, do I not talk of worldly things? D. Do I take no pleasure which does not to the glory of God; thanking God every moment for all I do take, rejecting every sort and degree of it which I feel I cannot so thank Him in and for? Wot, no lafs? Jesuits use exercises to grow spiritually; we’ll see some of that subsequently. Of course, Methodists use methods. Historically, the main method has been discipleship in the form of a weekly small group meeting. The leader would begin by asking an open-ended question, “How is it with your soul?” There would be Bible study, and review of the General Rule of Discipleship evidenced in acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion. The small group enhances self-examination and is inclined to compassionately critique, encourage, and assist.
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Should you write a “Personal Constitution”? This is a potentially rewarding—and potentially obsessive—practice of listing your values, ambitions, and practices. On first pass such a list will be inaccurate—too conceited, too modest, just ignorant. After several passes and amendments, my own list became too wordy. It remained useless until I boiled it down to two primary practices of two words each. “A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient” (Dr. William Osler). “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit." (Philippians 2) Start quietly, but don't finish your personal constitution in isolation. Instead, consider that sharing and refining personal constitutions can help the individuals involved and the community of Christ! Decades ago, around once a year, believers I knew shared perceptions concerning one another. I remember being completely surprised at good things and deplorable things other people saw in me. Such confrontation encouraged us to discern and to develop “the better angels of our nature.” Here in February—between New Year resolutions, reviewing finances and taxes, spring cleaning, and daily news involving the national constitution—right now is as good a time as any to begin. Effort now is an investment that can grow to help you and others rationally face life’s persistent questions.
![]() In a previous post I cautioned concerning psych self-assessments and the Christianized versions, Spiritual Gifts Inventories. Too often these quizzes are not used as collaborative tools to build coworker communities. In isolation they become mirrors to confirm vanity, self-loathing, or sloth. “Personal Constitution” is the term Peter Covey floated in his 1989 business-oriented best-seller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The practice of forming such a mission statement, credo, prime directive, philosophy, or rule of life is far from new. In subsequent posts I'll link to diverse personal constitutions from such eminents as Socrates, Confucius, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Jonathan Edwards, the Wesley brothers, Ignatius of Loyola, and others.
Besides constructing your motto, be aware of Biblical statements of purpose, including:
![]() Several families were visiting at my house for a Christmastime Bible Study. The study was not in English. I took my usual role as child wrangler. The most respected gift, I think, is to give one’s self. The kids—mostly talkative five-year-olds—ran to the Christmas tree. They were closely inspecting its decorations. “Kan zhi-ge! ” “Look at these!” One girl exclaimed, “Uncle Greg, we make these lights! We make these lights!” I asked, “Do you have a Christmas tree at home?” She calmed down. “Little tree,” she murmured. “we do not make lights for it. Not our lights.” Crouching down, I pressed, “How did you make these lights on this tree in my house?” She looked at me. She exhaled. She spoke slowly so I could understand. I don't recall the exact words. The explanation went something like this: We make these lights where we live in Taiwan. We make little lights at my house. Not here. At my house in Taiwan. Every day, we make little lights. We do not keep little lights. We sell them. Then I understood. In Taiwan, her family assembled Christmas light strings in their apartment. These five-year-olds were concerned about how my lights were spaced. Were bulbs solid color or blotchy? Could light strings join end-to-end? Which is better, blink or not blink? Which is better, blue or white? The young Quality Assurance team finally approved my tree's workmanship and presentation. Since then, when I visit local stores—even if not intending to buy—I scrutinize Christmas decorations for sale. From where did they come? Taiwan, People’s Republic of China, Viet Nam, India, Mexico, the Czech Republic…? I wonder, did they come from children's hands or from automation? What does it profit a kitchen-based factory when I buy fifty of their lights for two dollars? When I ask adult visitors about Halloween items, they thoroughly dislike the uglies. But they are intrigued by Christmas stuff. They ask, why do people with so many trees buy a plastic tree? Why buy so much sparkly stuff? What if you do not have snow? What’s with the old man in red clothes? Is he a Buddha? Is the baby his grandson? Do the animals eat the baby? Do Americans really eat bread with every meal? China is the world’s largest Bible publisher, thanks to Nanjing-based Amity Press…. For the world’s largest Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP), more than three quarters of its production costs are incurred in China.” Christianity Today, June 2019 What do the workers infer about the buyers of their product, whether cute lights or big books? What things might I buy that would stir the producer’s interest in God’s kingdom? The answer is above. ![]() The inspectors swarmed off to use the carpeted stairs as a toboggan run. I grabbed big plush animals to stand guard with me at the bottom of the stairs. When the kids tired, we played with my “Made in China” nativity set. We talked about the star, the people, and the animals. We learned about the best gift: the child, the gift that is too wonderful for words. ![]() It's rare that I get quite so emotional as I did with the attached video. This may have to do with visiting this year so many American civil war battlefields near my northern Virginia location. The song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" uses an 1863 poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Longfellow was a Harvard professor who had toured Europe apparently to learn to translate eight languages. He left academe, becoming a versatile, lyrics-slinging poet/rockstar. Here was a man who had lost first wife Mary to miscarriage and second wife Frances to a fire that scarred his own face and body. Here was a dedicated abolitionist and pacifist whose son joined the Union Army. Said son took a bullet to the spine, and now in December 1863 was back home in Massachusetts being nursed to health by his father. Here was a man who on December 25, 1863 wrote the following verses mixing pain and resolve. 1. I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 2. And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 3. Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! [Verses 4 & 5 are omitted from most recent presentations.] 4. Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 5. It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 6. And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" 7. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men. Luke chapter 2 verses 10-14 But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!” New English Translation and others Rocks ... Longfellow Bio ... Charlie ... Quotes ... Movie ... SATB ![]() Where I stood was mud the day before. Now that farm road was frozen hard as iron. I pondered: “The TV bosses let a kid quote the Bible for a minute. Maybe there's hope for this world!” This nostalgic moment is easy for me to pinpoint. I was waiting for the school bus at 7:45 a.m., Friday, December 10, 1965. Many others also were reflecting on the previous evening’s premiere of A Charlie Brown Christmas. ![]() Over the background brain jazz of “Christmastime is Here” and “Linus and Lucy”, I reconsidered the words of Linus and Luke: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields…”. Commercials urging “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should” and “See the USA in your Chevrolet” had given way to "Glory to God in the highest!" Scary scenes from Selma and Viet Nam were for a while displaced by "Peace on earth, good will to men.” And by a blue blanket. Most of the Peanuts kids—kids like me—knew well the Christmas biz. As Lucy confided, “We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket! It's run by a big eastern syndicate you know!” She urged, “Get the biggest aluminum tree you can find, Charlie Brown, maybe painted pink!” For me, the compelling character in Peanuts was not Charlie Brown, though I felt his pain. Snoopy was more flamboyant than anyone I knew. I was a Linus fan. Later I learned that Linus was not always the brave evangelist who could calmly summon, “Lights, please.” Linus had been forgetful, anxious, and odd. For example, rewind to December 21, 1958. A running gag especially in December was that Linus had stage fright. Lucy continued to encourage Linus in her persuasive way. I appreciate Linus' compassion. The other kids relentlessly dismiss and ridicule Charlie Brown. Linus is to Charlie a merciful, supportive, frank, and insightful friend. Linus is unembarrassed about his security blanket. In A Charley Brown Christmas, this versatile blanket serves as tow rope, slingshot, head covering, hiding place, and potentially a sport coat. Concerning Linus' attachment to his blanket, in 2015 Jason Soroski published a profound observation now echoed at over fifty websites: In that climactic scene when Linus shares what ‘Christmas is all about’, he drops his security blanket, and I am now convinced that this is intentional. Most telling is the specific moment he drops it: when he utters the words, ‘fear not’. ![]() There is a second blanket drop! Linus selflessly gives his prized blanket to restore the little limp Christmas tree. What do you think becomes of the blanket? Walk with me in the starry night with Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and all others who would go. We will purpose our security for kindness. We will trade cold tinsel for warm treasure. Footnote 1: Linus steps up. 1952 ... 1953 ... 1954 ... 1955 ... 1956 ... 1957 ... 1958 ... 1959 ... 1960 ... 1961 ... 1962 ... 1963 ... 1964 ... 1965 ... “Every now and then I say the right thing” Footnote 2: Linus steps back. Other Peanuts characters took much of Linus' role as sage and poet, even slinging a T.S. Eliot reference in one of the following Christmas strips. "Begat" ... "House of Bread" ... "Abiding" ... "Attention" ... "I hate shopping" ... "Warned in a Dream" ... "Calling Bird" ... "Hark, Harold Angel" ... "Hockey Stick!" ... "Joe Handel" ... "Gabriel" ... "Sheep" ... "Moo! Whatever!" Footnote 3: More Peanuts.
Peanuts for Christ ... Peanuts Wiki on A Charlie Brown Christmas ... Charles Schulz' Spiritual Walk Christmas is almost here!
The hustle, bustle, and general good cheer of the season can leave me empty of the reason that I celebrate Christmas in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the glitz, glitter, gifts, and all things Christmas, but I can easily forget that this winter holiday is bigger than red, green, and gold. It’s about the coming of Jesus to earth as a baby. The Messiah. The bringer of hope and good news. This is why I embraced the season of Advent years ago. Advent allows me to focus on what is important during the Christmas season. I like the way BibleProject.com put the big idea of Advent, it’s a time when “communities remember and celebrate the arrival of Jesus and join together in the hope of his ultimate return.” Hope Peace Joy Love Each week of Advent has a theme. I haven’t traditionally been good about following the theme. I’ve let life get in the way. But this year, I am looking forward to exploring the theme together with you. In the first two weeks, our focus is remembrance and anticipation of Christ's return. The first week of Advent focuses on Hope. I’ll post some scriptures for us to reflect on. Link a video or two. And maybe even a worship song to round out the week. At home during meals, I will light the first candle of my Advent wreath which has a place of honor on my table. The second week is Peace. I will again post some supporting items and Bible readings that will support the theme of peace. I will light the first and second candles on the advent wreath. Week three we shift our focus to remembering Christ’s first coming. The Joy that comes with a new beginning. The joy of the shepherds. The joy we have in knowing Christ and accepting His gift of salvation. I will be lighting the first, second, and third candles of the Advent wreath. In the last week of Advent leading up to Christmas day, the theme is Love. “For God so loved the world, that He gave…” This week I want to focus on God’s love for us through Scripture, song, and reflection. I will be lighting all four candles on the Advent Wreath. I will light the Christ candle on Christmas Day in the middle of my Advent wreath. I usually have a big pillar candle there and can let it burn most of the day reminding me that the light of the world was born this day. Merry Christmas friend. I look forward to sharing this journey through Advent with you. P.S. I love how the Advent candles end up at different heights in a spiral. The Fibonacci spiral wrapping around the center Christ candle in my advent wreath on my dining room table brings me joy! The perfection of a spiral points to the perfection of Christ’s birth and life, perfectly balanced and eternal. |
Our Writers:At The Surge we love doing things together... that includes writing a blog! Here are a few of our main contributing authors: Greg JohnsonJesus++ Anna Mari GreenEnjoys being busy and trying lots of new things. But she loves Jesus, her family, good food, photography, and travel Dwaine DarrahOur fearless leader, and Lead Pastor at The Surge. His experience in counter terrorism with the CIA prepared him for ministry and he likes dogs and babies even more than E does. EE (short for Eric Reiss) is the XO / Wingman at The Surge and likes dogs, music, Mexican food, his wife Karen and his daughter Evangeline... not necessarily in that order. Archives
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