Living Like Jesus

(The Search for Health, Happiness & Significance)

Scott Burnett worship pastor at our church wrote a song in 2000 entitled “Write Your Story in Me.” The words of that song are:

Write Your story in me.
Write Your story in me, Jesus.
Set Your glory within this jar of clay.
Write Your story in me everyday.
Finish the painting that you have begun
With a palette of colors
As bright as the sun
Focus the Image of your Holy One
In the merciful works, Oh Lord
That You’ve done.

As I ponder “Incarnational Living”, this song helps me to understand what that means.

By definition to “incarnate” something is to give “bodily form” or physical substance to something - to embody something or put flesh on it.

Watching the World Championship Golf Tournament on Saturday when Tiger Woods was ahead by 10 strokes, it came to me that Tiger Woods incarnates golf. When I think of what it would be like to play golf the way it was meant to be played I think of Tiger. Every time he swings his club it is like poetry in motion. And if he gets in trouble it seems he instinctively knows exactly what to do.

It seems like:
Tiger Woods incarnates Golf
Michael Jordan incarnates basketball
Peyton Manning incarnates football

By that I don’t just mean they are great at what they do but what they do is so a part of who they are that it just oozes out of them.

You might say – Tiger Woods puts flesh on golf. I understand what golf is about and what it means to play that game well by watching Tiger Woods.

Why is this “incarnational living” important to understand?

Pastor Rey shared a study with me. A group of college students in a non-religious school with no real ties to any faith were asked two questions:
What do you think when you hear the name Jesus?
What do you think when you hear the word Christian?

Response #1 – Jesus is beautiful, Wise man – like a guru or shaman, Enlightened.

Response #2 – Chiristians have messed things up, They don’t apply the message of love that Jesus gave, They turned Jesus teachings into a bunch of rules.

From the time I started attending this church the thing that always impressed me is that Pastor Tim has always taught us about “incarnational living”. He didn’t put that label – he said things like -- we’re out to change the world; its not about what we do on Sunday but how we live our lives the rest of the time; its not about rules it is about relationships; building a great caring network; caring for people in our community and our world, it was all of those things that attracted Rich and I and I know many of you to this church. It wasn’t until later that I learned the theological label for that kind of living –

“Incarnational living invites all Christ followers to flesh out their uniqueness, encouraging the totality of their being to reflect or embody Christ. When people and their respective communities see their “being” as inevitably making the invisible Christ visible through their lives, then every interaction, every act, every moment of stillness becomes a Christ moment.” Dwight Friesen

Going back to Tiger Woods illustration. No matter how often I watch him play golf – even watching him practice, watching him workout – even if I watched him closely for 6 mos or a year or more. I will never become a better golfer just by watching him If I want to improve my golf then I can’t just sit and observe. I need to do the things that he does to improve. Now I may never be as good as he is ( let’s face it he’s in a class by himself) but If I put into practice some of the same disciplines he uses to improve I will be better that I am by just observing. Throughout scripture we are given some things that we can do to get better at this incarnational living thing.

I’ve chosen to look at one such passage and my hope is that it will prompt you to join me on this journey of incarnational living it really is a journey of “becoming” (I think becoming who God really designed us to be). Opening ourselves up to allowing Jesus to write His story in our lives:

What incarnation living is not about is demonstrated in a You Tube vide entitled “Me Worship”

Incarnational Living means understanding

Embodied by a freedom from self.
16–18 My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? Galatians 5:16-18 (The Message)

A healthy way of living is to be “self” in the proper perspective. HRC is about how we do that. We are to take care of ourselves – physically, emotionally and spiritually not because we worship our selves but because we worship a God who loves us, died for us and has people for us to care for.

God show me how I can be freed from a compulsion of selfishness and let my life be directed by you.

As we move forward in becoming and healthy in our view of self – God’s gifts ooze out of us.
Embodied by God’s gifts.
22–23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message)

Notice the language here – affection for others,

Exurberance and serenity

Sense of compassion

Not needing to force our lives and able to marshal and direct our energies.


God, I give myself to you to be filled with your gifts.


Embodied by a purpose.
25–26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Galatians 5:25-26 (The Message)

EXCEL – Our dream is to have a group of people who see that in their work and business life they are right where God’s wants them to be. In their jobs, businesses, etc they are

Our embodied self becomes a portable sanctuary…we discover that everywhere we go is “holy ground”, everything we do is a “consecrated activity” and everthing we think or say is “sanctified communication.”.The jagged line dividing the sacred and the secular must be erased for there simply is nothing that is outside the realm of God’s purview and care. This is “incarnational living.” Richard J. Foster


God, move into every detail of my life – I want a far more “interesting life” of significance.

Author and actor Ben Stein has been writing a column published by E!Online for nearly eight years. Titled "Monday Night at Morton's," the column detailed his encounters with the rich and famous.
A real star, the kind who haunts my memory night and day, is the U.S. soldier in Baghdad who saw a little girl playing with a piece of unexploded ordnance on a street near where he was guarding a station. He pushed her aside and threw himself on it just as it exploded…

There are plenty of other stars in the American firmament....the policemen and women who go off on patrol in South Central and have no idea if they will return alive. The orderlies and paramedics who bring in people who have been in terrible accidents and prepare them for surgery, the teachers and nurses who throw their whole spirits into caring for autistic children, the kind men and women who work in hospices and in cancer wards. Think of each and every fireman who was running up the stairs at the World Trade Center as the towers began to collapse.
Now you have my idea of a real hero. We are not responsible for the operation of the universe, and what happens to us is not terribly important.
God is real, not a fiction, and when we turn over our lives to Him, he takes far better care of us than we could ever do for ourselves. In a word, we make ourselves sane when we fire and best use as a human. I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters and that it is my duty, in return for the lavish life God has devolved upon me, to help others He has placed in my path. This is my highest and best use as a human.

A tribute to Mike Roth

This morning as I was walking around the construction site I was thinking and praying for all the safety of the workers. Mike Roth was one that came to mind. Mike is the father of two wonderul young children Ashley and Travis. He is a very hard worker and an honest friend. He thinks in practical ways to the degree that I often come home and tell my wife Jackie that he is a genius. Mike was one of the crew that helped build the waterfall when everyone thought was impossible. He along with Gary Child, Rob Mc Junkin, Matt Bechtel and others worked almost every Saturday for a year and pulled it off. Mike is the kind of guy that just makes things happen. Think of all the people of all ages that have enjoyed that waterfall due to the commitment of these young dad's. The Roth family loves to laugh, roller skate, dance, and sing. Once Mike cut off his thumb on one of his construction projects and he calmly went to the hospital. He is a tough guy. In fact, he could play Hercules in the next play -- but Hercules is a mythical figure and he does not appear in the scripture. His wife Tara is a brilliant computer engineer and manager. Together they and their extended family are just the salt of the world. I can't tell you how many times Mike comes up with a tractor to fix something at the church. He just gets things done and really does not care who gets the credit. In fact, he will probably be a little embarrassed about this article but people should know the stories of the wonderful people who are stretching our investement in building this recreation center. The church that I grew up in had such a man and his name was Lloyd Sanders. The Cathedral of Joy would not be there if it were not for people like Lloyd. After Lloyds funeral I wept as I drove back over the mountains to Seattle thinking about his impact on my life and so many others. Mike is that kind of man - as a very old man, when he dies, the kids who have grown up in the church - swimming in the pool and playing basketball in the gym, hanging out in the cafeteria reading a book they checked out from the church library while their parents received counseling at the counseling center. And when they realize that this church would not be here except for this tough construction worker they will weep. I got to work here at 8:00 am this Saturday morning and there on the contruction site working all by himself was Mike. Praise God we are all part of a wonderful miracle that will bless generations

The Chomsky - Foucault Debate

Recently I have been reading a book entitled teh Chomsky - Foucault Debate on human nature.  In 1971 Anarchist Noam Chomsky debated Marxist Michel Foucault.  Noam Chomsky a professor at MIT spoke English in the debate.  Michel Foubault (1926-1984) held a chair in the History of Systems of Thought at the College de France spoke French during the debate.  The debate took place in Holland and was broadcast on Dutch television.  While I do not agree with the philosphy of either thinker I find their debate fasinating.  I am amazed at their intellect and all that is said about human nature in this debate.  The dimensions of the debate certainly have an impact on linguistics, political science and of course human nature.  It gives insight into modern discussion on these items but it also says something about the nature of humanity itself that such an amazing debate would take place at all.  More on this later - I have to run and as you might have guessed my computer/web skills are severely limited.

Forgiveness is often a work in process!

I was reading an article this morning on forgiveness.  The article by Stan Guthrie in Christianity Today shared an application of the scriptural imperative to forgive with the practical lessons of Dr. Smeedes and his book Forgiveness - The power to Change the past.  Dr. Smeedes was one of professors when I attended Fuller Theological Seminary in the 1970's.  And of course Forgiveness is something every human being wrestles with throughout our lives.  Many times we say we forgive and yet in our deepest subconscious we wrestle with this God given emotion in ways that are difficult for us to understand.  Sometimes we coach others to forgive not realizing that this will really be a struggle.  It looks easy from our perspective but we are not seeing it from their shoes or seeing why forgiveness was sometimes so impossible that it took Jesus going to the cross to pull it off.  Smeedes who is now in heaven looking at this issue from a much deeper perspective said while he was on earth that three stages are invovled in the miracle of forgiveness.  Suffering is the first.  Forgivenesss does not mean that we passibely and unemotionally accept evil.  No, the very cooncept acknoledges that evil has been done and that suffering has resulted.  Dr. Smeedes said that forgiveness happens only when we first admit our hurt.  The second stage is spiritual surgery.  Dr. Smeedes as a psychologist works at communicating how God can go into the past do a surgery on our heart which begins to set us free.  And the third stage is starting over.  It is the beginning of a new journey together.  We must begin where we are, not anat an ideal pace for reunion.  Nasty questions  are unaswered, the future is uncertain; we have more hurts and more forgiving ahead of us.  Corrie Ten Boom once prayed after going through the Holocost, Lord Forgive me I cannot forgive.  Everyone of us are in this life long - God dependent, Grace sustained process of learning and applying God's forgiveness.

Discovery - Who am I?

As Jesus walked beside the SEa of Galilee, he saw Simon an dhis brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  Come , follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.  At once they left their nets and followed him.  Mark 1:16-18

 

One of the ever entrancing aspects of the story of Jesus is how his followers seem to discover themselves while in relationship with him.  For Simon this seems to be a continual process throughout this life.  At Ceasaria Phillipi when Jesus asks him who do men say that I am - who do you say that I am - I call you Peter and on this rock I will build my church.  At the Lords supper, at the washing of his feet, during his denial in the garden, at his reinstatement after the reserrection, in the Jerusalem council.  What an on going story of self discovery connected to God discovery.

 

Recently, I did an on line search for Tim White and I found a few names that I had already come into contact with a noted professor of Anthropology, a reporter for Rolling stone magazine, and a wrestling Icon.  One way or another I have some funny stories about mistaken people about which Tim White I am.  Like the time I was given Tim White's hotel room at Orange County and a food basket was delivered.  My wife kept getting phone calls asking if there was a party in our room.  Finally she asked about the calls and she was told Tim White is a wrestling Icon.  She said, I have been married to Tim White for many years and he is not a professional wrestler.  The guy argued with her.  Is this a big guy with a beard.  She said yes.  He asked does he work a lot in the evenings.  She said yes.  Well he said, than I am sorry but he is a professional wrestler.  When I came back to the room she asked me if I have been a professional wrestler ever in my life!  It was really wierd doing a search on the name Tim White.  The wrestler has tried to commit suicide by dropping a toaster in his bath tub, sufficating him self with a plastic bag and varioius other horrifying senarios.  Who is the real Tim White?  Well we all are.  In some cases Tim D. White is even very popoular combination of names.

As for this Tim White, I am have poured more of my life into being a local pastor of Washington Cathedral than I ever thought I would.  I am a husband of 32 years, a father and a soon to be grandfather.  I love to read philosophy, history and science. I love sports, dogs, the mountains, wild life, common people, politics, golf, (as in the words of Charles Barclay Golf does not qualify as a sport because skinny rich kids can be very good at it) And I would love to meet in person the other Tim White's.  I have never really watched Big time wrestling but as an athelete in highschool the wrestlers were always the tough guys who would just take on anyone.  I tried to keep them as my friends because I did not want them as my enemies.  And I have never read rolling stone magazine.  I don't know why but I would love to have lunch with a reporter and learn something about our culture. 

 

Who am I now that I am in my 50's and the world is ever changing.  Sometimes I would love to just go join the peace corps and try to help do something about Africa or Latin America's poor.  I am still discovering who my kids are and my wife Jackie still amazes me all the time.  Do you know who you are - right now - tomorrow?  Jesus invites us into this life long process of discover with him as a guide.  I think Guide is a good term because he certainly doesn't disclose it all at once.  And what he does disclose about us an the people we love - well we have a hard time living up to that as long as we live.

 

Maybe behind Moses seeking out the burning bush, or John the Baptist living in the desert or Abram changing his name to Abraham is this continual process of discover that we are all invited to be a part of.  At the edge of a new year I embrace this discovery with more enthusiasm than I have ever had.  But I am equally excited to discover the peope I am around.  The artists who painted portraits that intrigue us are just a sample of the real thing.  The spirit of the creator in everything he has created.  Glaciers, prehistoric man, big time wrestlers, rock and roll writers and simple pastors.  And you...

The Next Reformation

Carl Raschke wrote the book on why Evangelicals must embrace Postmodernity and he called that book the next reformation.  As I read the book it was already out of date in this continuing conversation.  Post moderns don't like to be called postmoderns.  What they want to be called differs with whom you are talking about.  They don't like monolithic interpretations so be careful.  One "post modern" told me that if you use the term post modern it means you aren't one. 

But modern Christians seem to be behind the cultural curve.  Give us a fast ball and we are all over it but culture always comes in a curve because it is always changing.  It is hard for us to institutionalize change.  It takes time and about the time we get it done it is changing again.

Nevertheless, postmodern ministry has become a buzz word among urban evangelicals and I don't think that is necesarily bad.  The world changing quckly in many ways.  Those who define the struggle of modernity as a central force to that change cannot accuratly predict the future.  Modernism is the global economy is far from over as is modernism in christian religion.  How this dialectic is going to work its way out is known only by God.  But the discussion is very fruitful for all of us.  Not only those of us who want to reach a new generation of Christians with a new agenda of questions but all of us who live in a changing culture.  My name is Tim White and I approve of this ad.

Positive Faith and Postmodernity

"Imagine yourself a Don Quixote of eighteen!"  These are the words of Alexandre Dumas describing a young D'Artagnan in the four musketeers.  Of course Dumas was pre-existentialism and its questioning of the rationalistic method.  In fact, Dumas knew nothing of modernity and the thoughtful reactions which grip our thinking today.  In fact, Romanticism came easy for Dumas given the peaks and valleys in the trajectory of his own life.  Not only was romanticism filtering through french culture during his early years but the events of his life could have been scripted by a Romantic.  His father had a direct connection to Napoleon himself; he was born of mixed racial ancestry; he rose to incredible heights of fame and fortune; and he died almost penniless.  Dumas sought adventure and extravagance.   His fictions such as Man in the Iron Mask, The Count of Monte Cristo and of course the Three Musketeers were part of my reading when I was in the seventh grade at Park Junior High.   When I was 13 years old an eighteen year old Don Quixote del la mancha was quite intriguing to me.  D'Artagnan was daring beyond his abilities.  Naively idealistic beyond the realities and intrigues of the day and somehow he found his way to become a Musketeer.   In fact his sword play abilities and simple idealism were forces for his redemptive influence in a very ignoble environment.   

How different that world is than that of Isaiah Berlin.  I don't know a lot of Isaiah Berlin but I have read The Crooked Timber of Humanity.  This is in fact a line borrowed from a critique of pure reason by Immanuel Kant.  A lot of postmodernists react to Kant as a pure rationalist and the height of everything they are journeying away from.  But remember this was a critique of pure rationalism.  A rationalist discussing the reasons rationalism needs to be fine tuned.  The crooked timber for building any philosophy or world view is us human beings in all of our rationalism.  This is the beginning point for Isaiah Berlin.  I read this book after reading Why I am not a Christian by Bertrend Russell.  I am a modernistic pastor of a church with a positive faith to share and I really care about what our critics think.  Because those critics are our neighbors, our families, our enemies and sometimes they are ourselves.

Isaiah Berlin turned off to Christianity when he read Machiavellian as a student at Oxford.  Machiavelli's point is that Christian virtues and reality are incompatible and when practiced by a people become the weakening which leads to the downfall of that society.  He also was impacted by Voltaire's idea that mistaken ideals were the disease of modern society.  Berlin sees two factors shaping human history our science and our ideological systems in short both need to be questioned.

This blog grows long so let me get to my point.  I contend that there is as much a need today in the midst of whatever we call the conflict between modernity and post modernity for an eighteen year old Don Quixote as ever.  Yes, there is a lot that needs to be questioned.  But there is a role in this conversation between those who are gripped by questions and those who hold on with one hand gripping all the good of the past heritage of Christian faith and the other hand gripping the hand of the people we love who sincerely are on a new journey.  This may seem as no way to skip down the yellow brick road exploring the Oz of a new century.  On one side we hold the hand of the cowardly lion (post-modernity's view of modern Christianity) and on the other side the straw man ( old fashioned Christian heritages view of emergent Christianity).  But then again, we are D'Artagnan we can do it!!!  I am no longer 13 I am 52.  My back is sore from playing basketball two weeks ago.  The thought of an eighteen year old Don Quixote seems a long way away.  And yet did  the old Don Quixote ever realize he wasn't eighteen?