I’m going to take a blogging break.

 

I have nothing to say right now and even less time to say it.

 

My mind is jumbled; true pondering is rare.

 

My spirit is weary.

 

So, I need to be quiet for awhile, so I can hear the whisper that thunders.

 

When I sense the Spirit’s nudging, I hope to be here again.

 

I hope you’ll come back by sometime.

 

Shalom.

            As part of our message series “Growing Home”, this week we considered how communication contributes to a healthy family.  This is the series of probing questions and supporting Scripture we talked about.

+ Have I accepted my responsibility for the connection between the way I communicate and the marriage and/or family life I have?

 James 3:2-5, 7-8a For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.I f we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will      of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things…. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

                        Such taming requires the power of the Spirit: Gal. 5:23 - The fruit of the Spirit  is…self-control.                          

+ Am I aware that my words have a profound impact—for good or bad—on my spouse, children or parents?

 Prov. 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

+ Am I listening well to my spouse, children or parents–or do I hear halfway and jump to conclusions?  

 Proverbs 18:13  If one gives an answer before he   hears, it is his folly and shame. 

 James 1:19 (MSG) Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak… Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue.        

+ Do I tend to talk a lot, blocking anyone else’s input, so that my viewpoint is always dominant? 

Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 

+ Is what I am saying true—or am I willing to exaggerate or deflate to win the point or protect myself?

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”

Matthew 5:37 –Let what you see be simply “Yes” or “No”; anything more than this comes from evil.

+ Are my words gracious and life-giving – or harsh and cutting?

Ephesians 4:29  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body

+ In conflict, do my words move us towards resolution or escalation?

Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

 

+ Is my communication consistent with the gospel and of someone who claims Jesus as Lord? 

 James 3:9-12- With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a  spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

 

 Matt.12:34 Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks                

 + Can I sign the name of Jesus to the conversation we just finished? 

Colossians 3:17 -And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  

 

Think of an unedited transcript of your conversations with your spouse, children or parents over the past week. At the bottom of the last page is a line:  “Everything contained herein displays the beauty of My Father. It matches Me. It corresponds to My gospel. It is worthy of the calling that emerges from My death and resurrection. It is true to My purposes in the world.” Could Jesus sign below that?

This is part of the closing message from Pastor James MacDonald at the 2012 Harvest U—the ministry conference of Harvest Bible Chapel in suburban Chicago.

 

It has a lot of straight-talking truth about the heart of a pastor’s work that most church members would do well to hear—and turn to prayer. 

 

Can’t link the video,  but watch at http://jamesmacdonald.com/blog/?p=12474.

 

  The full message is at http://www.jamesmacdonald.com/ministries/walk-in-the-word/broadcast/video/harvest-university-2012/#divSpecialVideoFeatures-tab

 

            They call it the “Paris Syndrome”.  It is an odd malady that can cause shortness of breath, racing heartbeats and nausea, often requiring a hospital stay. It can progress into emotional disorientation, unpredictable delusions and a lifetime of anti-anxiety medications or psychiatric counseling. 

            These terrifying things all result from simply traveling overseas, and can occur from just one trip. So, is this caused by a virus? A parasite swimming in unfiltered water?  The aftereffects of an improperly cooked piece of shellfish?

            No, Paris Syndrome arises from profound disappointment.

            Researchers have discovered that some people—mostly Japanese tourists — who travel to Paris, France for vacation are so disappointed at what they find that it literally makes them sick and borderline crazy. Apparently, Japanese culture has for years presented a highly romanticized view of all things Paris.  The Paris that captures the Japanese imagination is sparklingly clean and aglow with wonder.  All the people there are smiling, kind, welcoming and in on the conspiracy to help every person discover the love of their life. Couples wile away hours in open-air French cafes sipping wine or coffee, before they slip away to walk along the Seine in the moonlight. 

            These tourists save for years to experience the Paris of their dreams. But the reality they find is drastically different. Paris is an international mega-city, marked by freeways and smog, and bustling millions of residents.  The postcard picture scenes are shadowed by urban sprawl and neighborhoods that never glow.. It is frighteningly expensive and Parisians are, as a rule, aggressively rude to tourists, especially those who do not speak French.   Nobody seems particularly concerned with romance.

            The discord between the tourists’ expectations of Paris and its reality is stark. Thus the disappointment, and the disturbing physical and emotional symptoms.

            We don’t live in Japan, but we are surrounded every day by people looking for their Paris dream.  It may look like romance or a relationship or an accomplishment or a possession or an experience or a job. In their mind, they think, “If I just had ________________, everything would be beautiful, and my heart would be satisfied.” But when they finally acquire it or have it for a while, it’s just not nearly as satisfying as they expected it to be.

            So, what can Jesus’ people like you and me offer people who are often disappointed with life, disoriented and struggling to find their way?  We have the gospel of Jesus. Not just a list of beliefs, but the fullness of the life and promises in Christ.  Jesus cuts to the core of every person’s longings.  He promises “whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (Jn. 6:35). He assured that those burdened would “find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29), those beset by Satan’s life-draining wiles would instead have “abundant life” (Jn. 10:10), and all who trust Him would “pass from death to life” (Jn. 5:24)

            It gets even better. The Lord promises, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9) And  “not one word of all the good promises the Lord has made….has failed.” (Josh 21:45) Jesus is “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). He is utterly dependable and has, for millennia, proven faithful to all who have trusted Him.

            In other words, Jesus never disappoints.  When we stand in His grace, we “exult in hope of the glory of God…and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts.” (Rom. 5:5) The realities of Jesus always match and exceed the expectations or trust we place in Him. 

            Everything in this life will ultimately disappoint us.  Jesus never will.  He is better than Paris and every other enticing promise we’re drawn to believe. Jesus satisfies utterly, deeply, sufficiently and joyfully. 

                Jesus is simply better.  Jesus is always enough.  You need that good news for your journey today—and so does somebody you know. Invite them to join you on the Way with Jesus.  

 

Listen closely, soberly, prayerfully.

 Now, pray large, weeping, pleading, believing, mountain-moving prayers that the church will get serious about its Great Commission calling to “make disciples [apprentices to Jesus who gladly live with Him as the defining center of their life] of all nations.”