In The Garden

It's official, by the National Weather Service at least.  The growing season is over here in Harrison, Arkansas.  The last four days with nighttime temps reaching into the low 30's forced them to declare what we already knew.  Winter is on it's way.  Sparrows, starlings, and a host of other birds were forming huge swirling flocks that resembled clouds more than flocks.  My office above the church is a little chilly, but I don't need to run the heater.  I'll be leaving in just a little while to go back out to a finger of land out on Bull Shoals lake.  
I was working out on the far fringes of Bull Shoals lake yesterday, without cell phone service, and will be doing so for the rest of the week. In my 'cloistered' work environment, I found myself enjoying the silence and the contemplation.  Then, it hit me, those moments when a song jumps into your head, and you can't lose it.  "I come to the garden alone. . . ."   ALL DAY LONG.  I sang it loud, (no one is around)  I sang it slow, fast, jazzy, I even gargled it.  You know you're messed up when you gargle a song.  I laughed, cried, and even stopped to pray for a while.  After messing around with it for quite a while, it hit me; I was in His Presence.  Which suddenly put me in a profound sense of shock.  HOW?  I'd just twisted one of the most endearing hymns of the Church into . . . .only the Lord knows.
From that profound sense of shock, I slipped into an even deeper state of intimacy.  I was like a little child who'd been caught singing while in the tub. The Father of all creation was whipping out the video camera, and enjoying His child.  I'm not a dour person by any means.  I don't like mean humor (which is what most of TV puts out, today).  I grew up devouring the comics section of the newspaper.  I never liked it when Lucy pulled the ball away from Charlie, or Limpid Lizard teased Bucolic Buffalo. I used to laugh a lot more than I do today.  The Muppet Show, will always be one of my favorite TV shows.  Laughter is good medicine, just not wicked laughter.
Fear kills laughter.  Fear, doubt, and worry are the side affects of being outside of the Father's presence.  I know!  This past month has been a stressful month.  Not because I hadn't had enough work to make bills, but because I allowed myself to worry about it.  You see, as I look back over the last month, I couldn't see where worrying about it, made work appear for me.  Yesterday, even though I didn't have two dimes to rub together.  I was enjoying the Presence of God in a playful almost childlike way.  I'd allowed my heart to be sick, and the message from the Lord was simple.  "I'm in the boat with you.  I'm in the garden with you, but I'm not worried.  Where I am, is fullness of joy."  
The second sin in the garden, was worry.  "I knew I was naked."   What am I to do with my nakedness?
As I thought on this, I was suddenly filled with the sensation that God was laughing. He sees me all the time in my nakedness.  Not my physical nakedness (which is a complete gross thought.)  He sees me in my spiritual nakedness.  He sees my form, the spiritual being that is David Bragg.  I was his little boy in the bathtub singing to himself because I thought no one was around.  As parents, we all know that all is right with the world, when our children are singing in the bath.
Today, I'm going to take my radio, put on some Jesus Culture, and make it echo across the lake.   If I started to sing 'In The Garden' today, it would seem a little contrived.

The Covenant of Love

This is a difficult blog to post.  As I worked my way through this morning's headlines, I stumbled upon one that broke my heart. It goes to an issue deep at the heart of what we are as Christians, and whether we lose our way in our understanding of WHO God is.  I don't want to mention names, so I'll try and sanitize the story as best as I can.  A man sitting outside of a Planned Parenthood clinic was beaten, and stabbed numerous times by a man protesting the clinic.  While the circumstances of the beating aren't clear, the alleged assailant was a man who'd been protesting at the clinic for a long time now.  I know that the assailant's daughter was somehow mixed up in the assault, but at issue is the anger that brings us to the point of accosting people, and causing them harm.  The assailant had been involved in other angry outbursts before this last one.  Murderous passion is not found within the Covenant of Love.  

Please, don't get me wrong. I detest abortion at all levels.  As the father of three children, and grandfather of five, I've seen the miracle of life in it's truest expression.  I can't imagine this life without any of those children.  The statistics prove that modern abortions are performed for convenience more than the safety of the mother.  According to one statistic, 90% of infants diagnosed with down syndrome are aborted.  I can't help but wonder if someday you can justify an abortion because the child could be born with the wrong color of eyes.  Abortions are exactly what the word means, aborted life.  We can try to candy coat it, give them credibility, or justify them in instances of rape or incest, but the end result is that abortions are an end to a life.  At many levels, we are an antiseptic society, that still picks our nose with the hand we just wiped our rear with.  Abortion is the little brown spot, that let's us know where our hand has been.   As a Christian, I could allow myself to become outraged at the amount of abortions performed each year.  When the truth is, the abortion rate is declining.  I'd like to think we are winning in the information battle against Planned Parenthood.  

Over the years, I've seen the Pro-Life stance become so hostile that we believed it was alright to execute abortion doctors, blow up clinics, and physically accost people going into the clinics.  Sadly, a good portion of these people felt they were on a holy crusade to rid the world of the evil of abortion.  In their righteous indignation, they became convinced that God gave them permission to kill one human being in order to stop the killing of others.  I understand it from a heart position that knows what it's like to be passionate about a moral issue.  The problem with this kind of passionate anger, is that it leads to hate, and then ultimately to murder. We're no longer making a statement about something being morally reprehensible, but are viewing those who are doing those things as deserving judgment. The Word of God tells us they are already judged.  The kind of anger that causes men to physically attack another is not a Christian trait. Violence directed toward those we disagree with, brings shame upon the name of Jesus.  God doesn't need us to be His arm of vengeance.  He will avenge, but when he does, it will be with the mercy born of an all knowing creator who loves all life.  When our dialogue is filled with anger, our blood vessels filled with rage, we break covenant with love.  The Covenant of Love is a lonely place.  I know, because I used to be a hateful, spiteful, vengeful man.  Then, through the mercies of God, I found the Presence of God.  Like the little sparrows who dance and flitter away outside my window, I know that my Creator ever lives to bring life to those desire to lay aside the angry robes of discontent.  It is in putting on the garments of praise, that we become true Covenant warriors, doing battle with the true enemy. . . . . .our own frailties, and lusts.  

This isn't an apology to the murderers, the mis-informers, and purveyors of death.  Judgement awaits, not by my hand or even by my desire.  I will pray for you, that you realize that little clump of cells growing within the mother's womb, is more than a mistake, or just an unwanted lump of flesh to be purged.  For those mothers who've had an abortion, you were deceived, but that doesn't make you evil.  You see, I am a participant in the Covenant of Love, and I know that it is only by the grace of God, that I've been able to find the love to set me free from my own passions.

A WEEK OF TECHNOLOGICAL TRIUMPHS

For those who won't read earlier blogs, the reason I call this blog the Sparrow's Perch, is because of Psalm 84:3 and Psalm 91. I can imagine the Psalmist going to the Tabernacle, and wishing he could flit in and out of the Holy Place like the sparrows. The tender reference to being under HIS wing, and the thought of God as a refuge, ring out from the Psalms. So, it is when I sit up here in my office. The sparrows, pigeons, and crows don't usually wake up until I'm almost ready to leave. It is mid-fall, and the sun doesn't break over the horizon until almost 7:30. During the height of the summer, the birds are carrying on by at least 5:30 in the morning. I miss their chatter, and bathing in the puddles on the flat roof just outside my window. I've often thought about putting a bird bath out there, but they have a lake, Ha :) just across the street. It wouldn't be for them as much as for me.

This week in Science has been an exciting time. The Mars Rover Curiosity found a cool unexpected rock, and Felix Baumgartner became the first man to freefall faster than the speed of sound. These feats are amazing! These technological feats make it is easy for us 'human beings' to think we have it all going on. We THINK, and that makes us special. Yet, in many ways, we have sold our birthright for a pot of boiled meat. We no longer depend upon the Lord for our daily bread. We have our brains, and our hands to feed ourselves. Who needs God? It is why we spend billions of dollars going to a planet we know is hostile to us, hoping for that one glimpse of a microbe that would prove God isn't the creator of the universe. It is why we spend billions of dollars looking out to the Stars hoping to find the one conclusive piece of evidence that will prove once and for all that WE are right, and God is wrong. Those who deny God will be able to point out how “knowledge” has shred the last vestige of religion, and dissuade even the most ardent believer. The purist scientist will finally be able to declare that we were an inevitable process of the universe, formed of a primordial stew that is possible anywhere within any trillion of star systems in the millions of galaxies that populate our universe. (LONG SENTENCE ON PURPOSE TO PROVE HOW KNOWLEDGE IS WONDERFUL)

Freed from the chains of religion, what is man capable of?

NOTHING MORE than he has done throughout the history of his miserable existence outside of God.

So, while an amazing piece of technology creeps along on a distant planet, and a man leaps from the edge of space, the sparrows come to my window sill and amuse me. They know their provider is good, and so do I. They know the one who brings rain and withholds it all at the same time. They aren't concerned with the scientific process, because knowing is only knowing. It doesn't change anything. As someone who has always had a love of science, science fiction, and astronomy, I am always brokenhearted at the 'reason' for discovery. What a shame. So, let me offer this to those who might be sitting on the fence of doubt and faith. Faith costs you nothing, doubt steals everything. In the end, when this tent is rolled up and placed into the soil from which it came, my spirit will explore those worlds that loom just beyond my touch. Eternity will not be spent in useless nothingness. For even as science is beginning to discover, this universe is made up of stuff we can't see or explain. We know it is there, we think we know how it should behave, but every day we realize we had it wrong. We spend so much time, and energy exploring the universe around us, but so little time growing the eternal love that is within us.  Is eternity one of those things we want to get wrong?

I guess it depends upon your perspective. A little sparrow has just cocked his head and danced away.  His perspective is the one I like.  

WEDNESDAYS IN THE SPARROW'S PERCH

Wednesday in the Sparrow’s Perch is a day unlike any other.  There is such an air of expectation of what will happen during the evening service.  Even if the day before didn't go as I planned, or tomorrow looks bleak and unrewarding, Wednesday night always holds the promise of fellowship with brothers and sisters in the Lord.  No matter how I might have failed to live up to my own expectations of how I should reflect Christ, the redeemer of my soul is there to embrace me.  I know He loves me, and ever intercedes for me.  Those things that fold me up in the middle and cause me to groan in waves of sorrow are soothed away by His healing hand. 

Shutting down the computer, and closing the door to my office on Wednesday mornings is one of the hardest things I do.  The gentle, and feathery touch of the Savior drawing me under his wing, is so soothing, it’s easy to fall asleep in Him.  Outside my window, the hustle and bustle of Babylon is beginning to push against the stillness I feel under the Savior’s wing.  Here in the warmth of the Savior’s love, I can watch the fever pitch drive for ‘more’ and be assured that where I am, is all the ‘more’ I need.  Still, I must leave the Holy of Holies, and fly out past the outer court into the fray of the battle.  I know what wrestles within me, is the desire to see the Kingdom of God come to this world.  The Epic Journey doesn't allow me to linger for long within the soft confines of the Savior’s embrace.  After I am soothed, warmed, and my wounds dressed, I will have to go back into the roar of Babylon.  He has made me to be more than a conqueror, and in the power of His might, I will overcome.  He has promised He would never forsake me, and I know He won’t, because I mean everything to Him. I think what causes me to breathe hard and feel the racing of my heart, is that I want Him to know He’s everything to me.

Wednesdays and Sundays are the days I celebrate knowing I’m not alone.  I draw strength from those who are just like me, who want to somehow convey to the Creator of heaven, and earth, that He’s everything to them. 

Well, it’s time to shut down the computer, turn off the lights, and go make some money.  I’ll return this evening with an expectation that His Spirit will be exponentially more powerful than I feel him this morning. 

Did I forget to tell you, that YOU mean everything to Him?    

The Good Things of God

Time to fly south. Brrrrrrrrrrr. A cold front blasted through yesterday, putting an official end to summer temperatures. Down at the courthouse square, (Yes, Harrison still has a courthouse square) they are hoping for a day free of rain, and slightly warmer temps. It is quite warm and comfortable here in the Sparrow's Perch. The cold hasn't had a chance to permeate the masonry walls, yet.

It is a beautiful morning outside, the sparse clouds are filtering the sunlight, and making a picture postcard splash of orange, pink, and white, against a vivid blue background. Yesterday's rain washed the air clean, leaving everything stark, and crisp. The air is so cool and crisp, I can hear the rumble of traffic on the highway a half mile away.

The sparrows, pigeons, and crows are silent though. I suspect they are waiting for the sun to warm things up before they pop out of whatever hole they've found for the night. I've come to enjoy their morning chatter, and the skittering noises they make as the scoot across the aluminum flashing outside my window. I hope they endure the winter.

I hope I endure the winter.

For those who might be stumbling on this, and those who aren't familiar with our fellowship, we've asked everyone to read two chapters every day. Not just any two chapters, but the same two chapters. Since we began this almost five years ago, we've been through the entire Bible three times, and the New Testament twice. We have seen a tremendous growth in revelation, and fellowship because of this practice. I say this because, I want you to understand the context of what I'm about to write. Today's reading was Ephesians chapters 1 and 2. Those who know me, know that Ephesians is my favorite book in the bible. Within it's six chapters, is the entire plan of salvation, as well as God's very heart. To me, it is the most inspirational letter Paul ever wrote. It is devoid of the correctional tone so prevalent in other letters, while at the same time being an exhilarating admonition to live the gospel. There isn't a word within it's pages, that doesn't thrill me to the core. Our men's group spent almost a year studying it. Imagine, a year on six little chapters. Then again, we spent an entire year on 2 Peter 1: 1-11.

In Ephesians 2:10, (and I quote from the NLT) For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. The good works we are to do, have been lost over the history of the Church. The body of Christ has split into three distinct camps, leaving the world to mock and ridicule the name of Jesus. For those who are 'grace only' people, 'works' is a dirty word without equal. Their mantra is that we are saved by grace, not by works. In throwing away the bath water, they throw away the baby. The other camp, believes the gospel is expressed solely by social works like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and housing the homeless. They haven't met a social agenda they didn't like. Tolerance, and inclusion overrides any call for morality, or purity. They believe, if you practice being good enough, long enough, everyone will become good. If this were true, Christ didn't need to die for our sins, and it would make a mockery of Christianity. Actually, they would be better off just abiding by Isaiah 58, which is the true social mantra for ALL men and women. The last camp is the FAITH only crowd. If it isn't born of faith, speak faith, live faith, then it isn't Christian. They mock those who seek to meet the needs of the poor, and they turn a blind eye toward those who are suffering. BUT, there is a balance. There is an example, and it is in the very one from whom we derive our name.

Christ came to earth to demonstrate that a man could be holy, and live the divine nature. The divine nature within us makes us able to do those 'good things' he planned long ago. He has given us the power to execute his plan. It would be a cruel God who'd say: “do these things” and not give us the power to do them. Some things he asks for, come from us, while some things pass through us. We give of what we possess, and we share what is shared. Let me clarify with bullets.

Christ Demonstrated the following AFTER being filled with the Spirit at his Baptism.

1. The ability to overcome temptation (to live a pure life)
2. The ability to understand, apply, and teach scripture.
3. The ability to altar the physical universe, through faith.
4. The ability to heal (deliver the oppressed)
5. The ability to restore (life, hope, and soul)
6. The ability to redeem (free from demon possession, and deliver from sin)
7. The ability to speak to the firmament and make it obey
8. The ability to increase the harvest and produce fruit
9. The ability to curse and wither away the unproductive
10. LASTLY and most importantly, the power to forgive.

At the Last Supper, Christ made one important declaration that should have stayed with all of us who claim to be His. It is important that I go away, for if I do not go away, the comforter can not come. He was the seed of all righteousness (right acts). He had to die and be planted in the ground, so that a righteous harvest could come from him. We are the branches that must bear fruit. That means the work of our hands must resemble the same things he did. If not, we are not of him. If we aren't living a pure life, living in revelation, changing physical events, healing the sick, restoring the broken, dying, and hopeless, if we aren't casting out demons, reaching through the gates of hell and snatching people from its grasp, we are only being 'mere humans.' We might as well roll up our Liturgical garments, close our hymnals, shut down our rock and roll extravaganzas and head home. WE WERE MADE FOR MORE THAN THIS.

God's 'good things' are more than our good things could ever be. Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. The body of Christ must be ready through every means to be Christ. IF that means opening your wallet and sending money to those in need, that is a good thing. If it is reaching out your hand in faith and offering wholeness to the lame, deaf, dumb, or blind, then you've done a good thing. If it is going to a far off country or tribe and bringing the gospel, that is a good thing. Whether it can be done by us or through us, it must be done.

The Presence of God changes all things.