Talents as fuel for movement

In his beautiful song “All that I am”, Bill Himes prays: “Take every passion, every skill, take all my dreams and bend them to your will” (1). In this sentence he touches three of the four important factors influencing my movements as a disciple of Jesus: Passion, Skills (or Talents) and ‘Dreams and Will’ which are part of my personality.

It is interesting that Jesus did not seem to be very concerned about talents when he called his disciples. He seemed to be more focused on “availability” than anything else. Discipleship is primarily a call to follow after him. Availability was the ‘talent’ the first twelve disciples had in common; availability was the common factor for the workers in the parable of the vineyard (2).

But when availability is announced, like Himes does in his song: “My all I give, Lord, for you I’ll live, Lord, come what may” (1) – God wants us to use all our talents to spread His love.

My greatest desire is to see people saved through faith in Jesus Christ. This can happen in many denominations. However, one of my reasons choosing The Salvation Army is because it gives me an arena where I can use all my talents.

I have some small talents in many areas. I love to write, and I have been trusted with opportunities to do so. I love to play musical instruments, and in The Salvation Army I have had almost unlimited possibilities of using my limited skills. I love languages and I have been sent to places where I have been able to use languages I did not think would be within my reach to learn. I love to use tools, build and repair properties – and guess what… yes, of course it has been useful. I love to be with people and share thoughts and life with them…. The list is long. Fortunately in God’s kingdom one person does not need to do everything himself because he is part of a body of believers with extreme reserves of talents.

Do you think that the boy who placed his five loaves and two fishes in the hands of Jesus had foreseen what was going to happen? (3)  Neither should you judge the value of your talents before you place them in the same hand.

‘Manna’ for tody:

Do it – and be surprised by God!

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(1) Link to the English text HERE - Youtube
(2) Matthew 20:1-16
(3) John 6:1-13

It's hard to say goodbye

NORSK

A few days ago, we said goodbye to Rodney and Wendy (Walters). We have been working closely with them for the last 30 months and the love that unites, is the same love that now separates us.

This made me think of the farewell meeting Paul had with the local leadership of the church in Ephesus. The report from their gathering at the beach is a moving story, and the time of departure is described as follows:

“After we had torn ourselves away from them…”
Acts 21:1

This brief statement has been important to me for many years. It describes at least two important aspects of being followers of Jesus:

1. The unique love that binds us
2. The importance of spreading this love

I have asked myself if there is a contradiction in Paul’s statement:

Christ's love compels us
2 Cor 5:14

However, since I am living in this love, I can testify that it is true for me too. Therefore, breaking up and saying goodbye to be able to spread love is not an imposed burden laid upon me or any other follower of Christ. It is a ‘compulsion’ that comes from the source of life, analogue to the fact that I ‘have to’ breath to survive. This time, Magna and I remain where we live physically, while Rodney and Wendy move on – this time with base in Singapore. We know that they will spread the love where they come and we know that people will know it and receive it.

Later this afternoon we will take part in in the farewell meeting for Leanne and Drew (Ruthven). Over the last couple of years, we have been able to work and minister with them in Romania and to be together with them has enriched our lives. We are not looking forward to saying goodbye, however, as with Rodney and Wendy, we accept Leanne and Drew’s readiness to be lead by the love that comes from the life-maker, and to spread it wherever they go. That is what keeps the momentum of our mission.

‘Manna’ for today:

Love is a prerequisite for momentum

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The good habits – a time for everything *

When I try to track the ‘correct’ things the disciples did while they were waiting for the Holy Spirit to come upon them, I see that it was important that they followed Jesus' instruction. As I read yesterday, they returned to Jerusalem, however, Jesus had not said anything about where they should go. So where then did they go? Of course they went were they used to go:

When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying.
Acts 1:13  

I have moved around a lot during my life, and when I come to new places, I often hear sentences like “Here we are used to…” And immediately after comes as often an apologetic “However, ‘Used to’ is dead!” 

Of course some habits can prevent us in doing new things, but there are good habits that we should stick to. Unfortunately, too many ‘Used tos’ have died without being replaced in many of our corps and churches. It is good to be aware of the fact that when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost, it was in a place where they ‘used to’ stay – they were in their own ‘habit’at.

We tend to travel at special conferences or congresses to get a new encounter with the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit’s habit is to attend where we use to attend? The question we should ask, is what we ‘use to’ do when we gather in the place we ‘use to’ to go. What the disciples did in the place they were staying, I will write more about tomorrow.

‘Manna’ for tomorrow:

It is important to take good care of good habits

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(1) The picture is an example of 'good habits': Two believers become soldiers in Romania. They are the first soldiers in a corps-plant in Bacau. The articles of faith are confirmed. They signed the ‘Soldier’s Covenant’ in prayer a.s.o. All of these are "good habits":

• Plant churches, 
• make disciples and soldiers,
•  confess the faith, 
• be in prayer, and 
• have a covenant relationship with the Lord. 

Colonel Rodney S. Walters enrolled the new soldiers last Sunday.

 * 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost

Knowing what discipleship means - a step on the journey

NORSK
Two days back I wrote that Jesus gave his disciples a threefold calling:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matt 16:24

I have already reflected on self-denial and cross-bearing. Today's topic is about discipleship = following Jesus. Diedrich Bonhoeffer is a theologian who really challenges me. I return to his book: “The Cost of Discipleship” (1) again and again. Bonhoeffer focused on the fact that discipleship comes with a cost: God’s grace must result in following Jesus. Therefore, he warned strongly against ‘cheap grace’.

I agree with those who claim that we for a long time made it hard for people to enter a church and easy to be a disciple. Today I think that it has become easier to be accepted into many church-communities. The challenge is if we are offering discipleship with a discount. Again it is time to reflect on yet another Bonhoeffer-quote: "Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life" (1).

When I became a soldier in the Salvation Army (1970), it was a tradition that the new soldiers sang a dedication along with the other soldiers in the meeting:

I will follow Thee, my Saviour,
Thou hast shed Thy blood for me;
And though all the world forsake Thee
By Thy grace I’ll follow Thee!

‘Manna’ for today:

By Thy grace I’ll follow Thee!

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(1)

  Bonhoeffer's book: "Nachfolge" (in German) literally translates "After-following". This works very well in Norwegian  translation "Etterfølgelse", while it does not work in English. The English title of his famous book is: "The Cost of Discipleship".

To end on the right note…

NORSK
Oscar Peterson was by far my favourite pianist. I tried to learn from buying and studying his sheet music and listen to his recordings, but perhaps the most important thing I learned was one of his statements. From memory I quote: “The important thing when you play, is to know where you are heading and reach your destination at the exact right time. If you can do that, you can do almost anything you want along the way.”

This is a very important principle if you want to create real music.

The principle is valid in several areas. I have for example used Peterson’s statement when I have taught preaching. The preacher needs to know where he's going and he must get there at the right time. I have heard many preachers who have shared a lot of good thoughts, but the message was not going towards a destination. Others have been targeted, but the message fell flat because of bad timing.

Although Paul wrote an ordinary letter to Timothy, he does seem to have had a three-folded objective with his letter and it all comes together in the final verses.

1. The first objective is directed upwardly:

To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18b

To glorify the Lord is the purpose of every disciple. It is also objective of my life.

2. The second objective is directed inwardly:

The Lord be with your spirit!
2 Tim 4:22a

When the Lord is with my spirit, he is with me wherever I am in the world. It is the best greeting anyone could wish for me and the most important greeting I could wish for a brother or sister in the faith.

3. The third objective is directed outwardly:

Grace be with you all! 2 Timothy 4:22b

I belong to a fellowship and a fellowship depends on grace. This grace should also flow from the fellowship in such a way that people who still do not believe will understand that the gospel is all about grace.

A musical work very often ends on the keynote. The keynote of the gospel is grace. Therefore, grace is the right tone to end on... I believe Paul knew it, and Timothy fell into to the rhythm of it. 

‘Manna’ for today:

God is grace - and he is the beginning and the end – therefor grace is the keynote of the gospel.

Thank you for being part of the journey through the letters to Timothy.

Winter and spring – today is all I have got

NORSK
Normally I am too busy to think about it, but occasionally I wish that I could be at ‘Brødsjø’. That was not the case yesterday. At breakfast, we listened as usual to the radio-news from the county of Telemark. As the morning temperatures were read, I noticed that close to our home it was registered -18 degrees, which normally means that the thermometer must have dropped below -20 at our place.

One hour earlier, we woke up to a beautiful and warm spring day here in Chisinau where the maximum temperature reached +17 degrees during the day. There is a big difference between winter and spring, and it is easy to understand Paul’s message to Timothy:

Do your best to get here before winter.
2 Tim 4:21a

Although it is tempting to give the word "winter" several interpretations, I think Paul's concerns were of the practical kind. If it was John who had written this, I would immediately have asked myself: "What else than practical concerns can be hidden in this message?"

Paul’s main concern was to get Timothy to come on a visit as soon as possible. May be Paul thought about his own bad experience of traveling during the winter. He had warned against sailing after the 1st of October (2), but his warning was not heeded to. It all ended up with a dramatic shipwreck. It is easier to travel in the summer, that was and is the simple truth.

However, in this simple verse I am once again reminded about how important it is to use the good days in the right way. This again reminds me of another of Paul's exhortations, which is important regardless of what kind of approach I make:

… make the best use of your time.
Col 4:5b

‘Manna’ for today:

Today is all I have got!

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(1) The thermometer at Brødsjø showing -18 during Christmas 2009. -35 is the coldest we have registered there. With such temperatures, I think I would have dropped a visit to Paul, and waited for the spring...
(2) Cf. Acts 27:9-12

I am saved three times

NORSK
In the last chapter in his letters to Timothy, it is evident that Paul is preparing for a new court trial and that he expects that this time he will face death. Yet it seems as though he lived a relatively normal life despite of this situation, and that he must have thought that it could take some time. It is also evident that he did not regard being saved from the lions (1) as a true salvation. This he made clear in this way:

The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and save[a] me into His heavenly kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:18

Like most "theologians", Paul saw salvation in three stages:

1. Jesus' sacrifice was a “righteous act” which “resulted in justification and life for all people” (2). Ergo, I was saved on Calvary together with all people.
2. This is the gospel. However, because of our free will salvation must be made valid for every individual through faith by confessing this as true for themselves (3). Ergo, having done so, I am saved today.
3. The last stage is “to depart and be with Christ” (4) - and that is what Paul is referring to in today's greeting to Timothy. Ergo, I will be saved when I one day I “depart to be with Christ” in eternity.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am so glad that I was, am and will be saved.

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(1) In the previous court trial Paul was "rescued from the lion's mouth" v 17b - a description that probably was literally. Many Christians became food for lions in the circus.
(2) Romans 5:18
(3) Romans 1:16-17
(4) Phil 1:21-23

So blessed humanly ...

NORSK
It may sound strange, but Paul’s request to Timothy in today’s verse contributes greatly to enhance the Bible’s credibility for me:

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
2 Timothy 4:13

The credibility is not undermined by Paul's intense frustration over Alexander the metalworker who caused a lot of harm, because it confirms how very human Paul was – and it makes me glad. I tend to forget things when I'm traveling, so I really hope that Paul forgot his cloak in Troas. It is a comfort for me simply because I forget Bibles, clothes, yes, even my accordion ... and I love books, so I associate with Paul’s wish also to have his scrolls at hand.

It is precisely these human factors that make the Bible so credible. These small matters, that do not really matter are not deleted in editing. The same applies when the authors of the Gospels describe how slow the disciples were to grasp Jesus’ mission and purpose. Nothing has been altered to make the disciples ‘look better’. Their very human contribution confirms the "ongoing" incarnation. Jesus is present in the world through ordinary people who forget, who need good friends around them and who get annoyed of frustrated over people who cause harm ...

‘Manna’ for today:

I believe the Bible

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(1) Where on earth did I forget that accordion?

When someone decides to leave…

NORSK
One of the reasons why Paul wanted Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, was because of the fact that several of his co-workers had left him. Two of them  were sent on missions to other cities, but much worse was likely what Paul described in this way:

Demas left me. He loved the things of this world and has gone…
2 Tim 4:10a

It is hard when someone we love to work with in God’s kingdom receives a ‘new appointment’. We who are part of the Salvation Army, know this only too well. Yet it can’t be compared to the pain it is when someone leaves the faith. As Jesus was tested in all things, he also had to experience the pain of seeing many disciples leave him (1). His pain and uncertainty is seen in his question to the twelve remaining: “You do not want to leave too, do you?”

To observe Demas making the dramatic decision to leave the community of believers, must have influenced Paul's desire to have the faithful Timothy close to him. His loneliness is seen in the remark: “Only Luke is with me”.

The first book I published was based on the question: "What kept Luke warm, when Demas became lukewarm?" (2). The answers I found are only theories, but there is much to suggest that Luke kept the principles which are valid for growing up and being kept as a disciple also in our time.

However,  today the focus is on the fact that we need one another on the tough and difficult days. Personally, I am so grateful for all the faithful Timothies who pray for us (3), and I often find solace in the belief that I am never ever alone (4).

‘Manna' for today:

I am never alone

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(1) John 6:66-67
(2) The book "Lukewarm or Luke-warm?" is available as pdf HERE
(3) To know that someone is praying
(4) We have a cloud of witnesses around us – Hebrews 12:1

Fragmented thoughts on loneliness

NORSK
'Loneliness' is such a big topic that the thoughts I share are mere fragments (1). For some loneliness is considered a curse, while others seek it as a blessing. 

As with most things in life, we need both solitude and fellowship. Paul was no exception, and in some ways I can feel his desperation when he wrote:

Please come as soon as you can
2 Timothy 4:9

The mentor needs his disciple. It shows the importance of reciprocity. We need one another as humans, and we need one another as disciples in the mission in God's Kingdom. 

A few years ago I conducted a funeral where one of the deceased’s sons came with the following message as a last greeting to his father: “Throughout our lives, it was always you who confirmed me and my brothers, the last couple years we needed to confirm you, and I do it again: you were a good father”. 
I believe it was true and I was touched by the statement.

The letter suggests that Paul needed someone he trusted who could confirm him as he was approaching the last part of the pilgrimage. May be he needed Timothy to say: “Throughout my life, you have always confirmed me as your true son in the faith, now it is my turn to confirm you as a mentor and a true father in the faith” (2).

The feeling of loneliness is alleviated when there is someone who sees me. A glance, a good handshake or a hug can do a lot of good. No man is an island. When God the Almighty created man in His image it is a sign that we are created to have fellowship with each other and with him.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am created for fellowship with room for solitude

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(1) In light of the fact that Soren Kierkegaard used the term "Philosophical fragments" my thoughts should only be considered minor particles...
(2) See “Affirmation and accountability”

Breaking up - and a broken shoelace

NORSK
When I yesterday asked the question “Ready for departure?”, I had many thoughts related to the process of being ready to break up at any time, and I will share some of these today.

The disciples of Jesus have always seen themselves as pilgrims. The identity of the first disciples was linked to the confession to belong to "The Way" (1) which clearly sends a signal of being underway and on the move. We are in the season of Lent and the intention of fasting is to break away from habits to be able to concentrate on the core of the gospel. It is not unlikely that I will spend the latter part of Lent to reflect more on the topic of fasting.

Paul was used to breaking up. Some of the departures were very emotional and bore testimonies of love and care, like when he bade farewell to the elders of Ephesus (2). Others came as a result of Paul and his companions being chased, which made them shake the dust off their feet as a warning to the pursuers (3).

Moreover, Paul was also ready to put all plans aside and break up when he realized that it was the Holy Spirit charging him to do so. It happened when he was called to Macedonia (4). Therefore, his testimony from yesterday is fitting well as a label on his whole life as a follower of Jesus: “I am ready to break up!” (5)

Breaking up is not just about moving geographically. It can be as simple as breaking away from what I am doing right now to make a phone call or write an email to a person whom the Spirit puts on my mind. I think these small daily ‘break away’ reminders are very important acts of obedience.

Here is a short story I read in a mission magazine when I was a young disciple. It made a strong impression on me. A missionary in Africa was a bit in despair by the fact that his shoelace broke one morning. He did not know where to obtain a new shoelace and sighed to God. The same day a letter arrived from a friend in England. The letter was written three months earlier, and the envelope also contained a shoe lace. The friend had written: “It sounds strange, but the Lord asks me to enclose a shoelace”.

It would not have been the end of the world if the missionary had not received his shoelace, but I think that the experience of "God is seeing me and has control", must have been a strength in his ministry. May God bless the people who break away from writing a letter to enclose a shoelace when the Lord prompts them. It is an example of how God's kingdom works.

‘Manna’ for today:

Breaking up is part of the following of Jesus

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(1) It was the name Saul used to identify the disciples of Jesus before he came to faith - cf. Acts 9: 1-2
(2) Acts 20:36 to 21:1
(3) Acts 13:50-52
(4) Acts 16:6-10
(5) 2 Tim 4:6

Ready for departure?

NORSK
For Magna and me, traveling has become part of our routines. Occasionally I say that I am tired of traveling. It is a statement that needs modification, because it is not the journey itself and certainly not the destination of the journey I am referring to, but rather the process of getting ready for departure. It can be tiresome to prepare for a travel. This includes everything from planning and booking tickets, to packing all I need for the journey and making sure that the passport is valid. 

The term ‘ready to go’ is also used metaphorically for our final journey. Yesterday evening, we received notification that Magna's aunt Tutta has ‘gone’ to be with the Lord. Tutta was well prepared for departure. Her 'passport' was valid, her 'ticket' paid and she left everything behind when she went. At the destination, the place was prepared for her (1).

The message about aunt Tutta came just as I was reading today's greeting from Paul to Timothy:

For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. 2 Timothy 4:6

Paul indicates that he had already been through a court-trial and that he was “delivered from the lion’s mouth” (2). Now it appears that he is waiting for a new trial, but this time he is ready to “be offered”. Therefore, he wants to have his ‘successor’ Timothy close at hand on the final leg (3).

Paul possessed a strong hope, a hope shared by all believers:

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8

‘Manna’ for today:

Paul’s hope is also my hope and assurance

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(1) John 14:2
(2) 2 Timothy 4:17b
(3) 2 Timothy 4:9

Sober in all that I do?

As a soldier of the Salvation Army, I have taken a total abstinence pledge, and as far as I know, I have never broken that promise. Therefore, I have never been intoxicated by ingesting intoxicants that have not been prescribed by a doctor. 

However, I have several times experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in such a way that it has become a kind of intoxication. It has been a strange, but good experience.

Some years ago I participated in a series of meetings, where the keynote speaker instructed the intercessors to remain "sober" while they took part in the prayer-ministry. I understood what he meant, and see the importance. There is a time for everything (1).

Paul has a similar charge to Timothy:

But you, be sober in all things, suffer-hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
2 Tim 4:5

In translations of the Greek original other words than sober are commonly used, like e.g. vigilant, watchful, in control, remain steady, clear-headed etc. The main idea is that I am charged to be present in my own life, in my work and in my ministry.

I have repeatedly pointed out that the first question God asked Adam after the fall was: “Where are you?” (2). If I can be available and respond “Here I am” when God calls, I will be very close to fulfilling the charge given in today's verse.

‘Manna’ for today:

‘Here I am’ – sober and available!

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(1) Eccl 3:1
(2) Gen 3:9

The charge piece by piece

NORSK
When our children were small we used to cut a slice of bread into small pieces for several reasons. Firstly, it was easier for them to put the small pieces in the mouth. Secondly, they ate more bread because it was some topping on each piece. When we gave them a full slice, they would eat the topping first and leave the bread alone.

Today I will attempt do the same with the charge Paul gave to Timothy in order not to miss any nourishment. The charge is actually a summary of the mission:

Preach the word - because the Word is Jesus (1)
be prepared in season and out of season – because the Word is a support both on the good and bad days (2)
correct – because the Word is truth (3)
rebuke – because the Word is like a two-edged sword (4)
and encourage – because the Word is full of grace (5)
with great patience – because the Word gives patience (6)
and careful instruction – because the Word is 'sound doctrine' (7)
2 Tim 4:2

‘Manna’ for today:

The Word is complete but can be digested in small pieces

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* OK - it seemed to work - occasionally ..... (sorry Silje)
(1) John 1:1
(2) Matt 28:20
(3) John 14:6
(4) Hebrews 4:12
(5) John 1:14
(6) Rom 15:4
(7) 2 Timothy 4:3

To be charged with a charge

NORSK

Tomorrow is “recharge day” in Eastern Europe Territory. The first day of every month is set aside for officers to “charge” the batteries. When I have ‘charged’ the batteries, I am ready for the ‘charge’ I am ‘charged’ with.

Three times in his letters to Timothy Paul used variants of

I charge you therefore…
2 Tim 4:1

Other versions use words like ‘urge’, ‘command’ or ‘commission’ all variants work well together with the image of the commander and the soldier. Each charge is linked to the mission and the ministry given to Timothy. That is also the case in this last chapter of the second letter, and Paul found authority for his charge in the faith in “his appearing and his kingdom”. 

When I share the same faith, I cannot run away from the charge was given to Timothy. It belongs to the mission I am made accountable for.

‘Manna’ for today:

Because I believe, I am charged for mission

I know to whom I belong

NORSK
The headline is not related to the fact that Magna and I last Saturday could celebrate and praise God for 39 years of marriage. To belong to Magna is certainly something I value highly. 

Yet for both of us there is a relationship that is even more important. It is clearly expressed in the two verses that have been in focus for several days already, and I have highlighted them in the Common English Bible version of the verses:

Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.
2 Tim 3:16-17

Generally speaking, all people in the world belong to God. However, just as Magna and I had to choose each other, God and I chose each other. In Jesus Christ, God has chosen all men to eternal fellowship with him. I belong to those who also have chosen him. This choice makes us one, just like Magna and I are one. I know to whom I belong and no one can snatch me out of his hand (2).

‘Manna’ for today:

It is a blessing to know to whom I belong

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(1) The picture was taken at our public wedding party at the corps in Vik in Sogn.
(2) John 10:28-30

New costume

NORSK
“What do you want for …?”  
This simple question is likely to come before a Christmas or a birthday and it is one of the hardest questions I get. For more than 20 years I think my answer has been the same: “I have no idea, I have everything I need.” For just as many years, I wished I had a national costume.

This does not mean that I have lied, because in principle I do not need a national costume, but I was moved to tears when six months ago I was surprised to receive the first contribution towards a new costume as a gift to the 60 anniversary from my family. In the middle of May, we will be at the confirmation-celebration of our oldest grandchild, and I'll wear my national costume for the first time. “I am ‘equipped’ for the celebration, and I look forward to it.”

A lot is lost in translation in today’s blog, because the word for costume in Norwegian, means “to equip for”. In Icelandic the word is used in combination with “Army” – and means uniform = equipped for fight. In combination with people it means = equipped for people, which relates to an event and a celebration, and of course the national costume is worn.

The leap from “prepared for fight and/or people” to Paul’s mentoring of Timothy is short. The key elements in the preparation for the pilgrimage of faith I find in the verses I have reflected on over the past days:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17

In the very end of the letter to the church at Ephesus Paul encouraged the believers to put on the full armour of God (2). It was in this church Timothy served when he received the letters of Paul. The mentoring he received, equipped Timothy for every good work. He had a new “costume”, a costume that equipped him to share the beautiful treasure and to defeat evil.

‘Manna' for today:

In God's kingdom the ‘costume’ is always new!

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(1) The picture from my first fitting at the tailors. FYI this costume originates in the region of West Telemark.
(2) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11

The most useful training?

NORSK
We use many different words for the process of raising children: Upbringing, training, formation, instruction and so on. 

When I grew up, my teachers made us sing commonly used “Upbringing-songs”. With regard to their content, I would say that not all parts of the “training” presented were equally important. Like e.g. the importance of remembering taking your hat of before you enter the sitting-room.

On the plane coming home from Cape Town, I had the opportunity to watch the movie 'Genius'. It is a biographical drama based on the special friendship that developed between the publisher Max Perkins and the author Thomas Wolfe. If you enjoy good conversations, literature and superb acting, this is a movie worth watching. The only link to the current reflection is that Max Perkins wore his hat both outside and inside. It is not unlikely that Perkins had a similar upbringing with regard to “hat-etiquette” as I had. However, as an adult, there were other things that were more important to him - which in some ways also links underlying theme in the drama of their friendship: "Which values ​​are most important?"

The most useful training was by Paul in this way:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for … training in righteousness
2 Tim 3:16-17

Righteousness and justification are closely linked and is a huge topic that could become an independent book. To grasp the mystery of righteousness can only be done by the Holy Spirit. It can be explained by using different images of how the Atonement of Jesus made it possible. The images may contribute to my understanding as explanatory models, but the life that is contained in the concept of righteousness can only be grasped when my spirit opens up for the Spirit of God. When that happens, the result of the training in righteousness will lead to inner assurance and not only to the knowledge of a theological theory.

‘Manna' for today:

Training in righteousness brings inner assurance

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Expert help with correction of mistakes

NORSK

I am aware of the fact that I make a lot of mistakes. Allow me to limit the example to the “art of writing”. On my present PC, I have not been able to get the spelling control work in Norwegian when I write a Word-document, which is the base-document for my blogging. So, even though I proof-read, mistakes slip through and disturb the point I want to make. I have sought expert help, but so far without success.

In the childhood of IT-technology, the user-guides for software were often called ‘bibles’. They contained advises when something had gone wrong and needed to be corrected. I think this is a neat introduction to today’s expert advice from Paul:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for … rebuking, correcting … 2 Tim 3:16-17

I am impressed by how Paul was consistent in the way he gave advise. This trait is also seen in his focus on the role of the Spirit in the process of leading people to the truth. This is definitely true for the God-breathed Scriptures, which often will prove to be sufficient as far as people seek guidance there. However, situations will occur when God has to use an individual to lead people “back on track”. For this person it is equally important to be God-breathed, as it is for the Scriptures he or she relates to. Paul wrote about this too:

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
Gal 6:1

I am convinced that if we gave more room to the Holy Spirit, there would be fewer mistakes both in the first line and in the support systems of the church.

‘Manna’ for today

It is all about more room for the Spirit