The Questions of Time

Father of time, the fleeting years of our lives are passing quickly by. Why can we not tarry and enjoy them a little longer? Why can they not hasten on so we may sooner be with You? Both of these are questions we raise as the winds of change blow through out frail lives, bringing chaos, causing pain, and bearing hope and healing. As we and the world around us change and pass away, may our hearts and souls find their sure anchor in You. Your word has assured us of Your faithfulness. Christ has promised us His continual presence. A home You are now preparing for us. May we learn to know You truly so that we may soon be guided from the stormy waves of life into the calm port of who You are. This we pray in Christ’s name and for His sake. Amen.

O is for Oprah

First off, let me say that I am no fan of Oprah. So, if you were thinking about giving me membership to her fan club, forget it. In fact, I don’t believe I have ever watched even one of her shows. However, as she signed off on her last daily show this last week and provoked a flood of commentary, there were a few things in the legacy she has left which have caused me to reflect on what our culture has become in the last twenty-five years (even though I haven’t been around that long).

Of all the comments that filled the air in regards to Oprah last week, perhaps some of the ones which most caught my attention were the ones where people were talking about how Oprah was their “best friend.” I wasn’t quite sure how to take this. Best friends with a TV personality? Really? And she’s best friends with you, or at least she says so (and she’s completely honest you know)? What would induce someone to make such a statement?

Well, one thing which kept being reiterated in newspapers, magazines, blogs, and news programs was that Oprah originated what might be called “confessional TV.” She told you everything. And you could tell her everything. And she wouldn’t condemn you for it. What better friend than that? Sadly, many people probably don’t have a better friend than that, but still, how good of a friendship can you have with someone who inhabits a television screen?

All this to say: I wonder what Oprah has done to our definition of a good friend? I wonder what she has done to our view of ourselves as being friends? I wonder if she has turned our ideas about friendship into seeing what we can get from others rather than what we can give to them? I say this because so much of what people have said in appreciation for Oprah centers on what they have gotten from her. Whether it was a new car, a fancy vacation, or simply an ego boost, everyone was happy that they got something. Oprah also seems to like all the attention and money she’s gotten from her fans. But of all the things that people got, it seems their favorite things were the things that helped them feel better about themselves. It was all one big feel-good-about-yourself type of friendship.

Is this what our idea of friendship has become? Do we only like our friends because they make us like ourselves better? Are we more concerned about how much people love us or about how much we love other people? Do we like them to be open and honest simply so we can feel better about ourselves (since not telling your darkest secrets to everyone implies you’re a snob)? Do we want to be open and honest with our friends simply to get a few pats on the back?

Perhaps we need to figure out what we mean by friendship. Perhaps we need to figure out what we mean by love. The Apostle Paul famously said that love does not seek its own (1 Cor. 13:5). Perhaps we should remember this above Oprah’s lessons that there is really nothing wrong with loving yourself.

Oh, and did I mention how Oprah has been idolized?

Sunday is for Sacred: Arise My Soul, Arise

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

- Charles Wesley

Incense in the Evening: Where Sets the Heart

Father, how very many things there are that distract us from focusing on You. Every day, the choice is given us to set our hearts on You, filling our thoughts with Your glory, or to set our hearts on things of this earth to provide comfort to our every-restless souls. Can You really be compared with these earthly pleasures? Do we really think they can so easily take Your place? O God, set our hearts firmly in You, the Rock of Ages, that they would not be moved from Your presence. Bring this about by Your Spirit and Your word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Incense in the Evening: The Door-Opener

Father, as we continue on this path toward knowing You, open our hearts more and more to the cleansing power of Your Spirit. In the recesses of who we are, only You know the locked doors that lead into chambers still filled with sin and deception. You are the One who opens doors that no one can shut and closes doors that no one can open. Take the keys to our hearts, walk down those long, hidden passages, open up those thick, musty doors, and flood those damp, dark, sin-stained rooms with Your light and warmth. In so doing, may those places that once were dungeons become places fit for Your royal residence. Through Christ do we pray. Amen.