by Barry Newton

As Paul's pen scurried across parchment and papyrus, repeated glimpses of an amazing story have emerged. No, I am not writing about God's love toward us in sending his Son to forgive our guilt. We have much more than mere glimpses into that astounding story. I am referring to the simple fact that God has entrusted people with his message.

Consider humanity's record. Even with the simplest of instructions, such as "don't eat of that tree," humanity has messed it up. In that case, it seems as though at the first opportunity bad information was allowed to distort the perception of truth. And then, the trust was abandoned simply because someone said, "eat this." In view of our track record, is it not astounding that God has entrusted the most important message ever into human hands?

Across the pages of his writings, the ink from Paul's pen has flowed into words and sentences forming a picture. "I make known to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. ... it came to me by revelation of Jesus Christ."1 Regarding this message, Paul described it as "the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted."2 In writing to Timothy about how this message should be handled, "Keep as the pattern of wholesome teaching what you heard from me in the faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the precious deposit that was entrusted to you through the Holy Spirit ... the things you have heard from me, through the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others."3 But Paul still had more to say. "People ought to regard us as Christ's servants and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. It is required that those who have been given a trust be found faithful. .... the one who judges me is the Lord."4

Several contours of his verbal picture stand out. The whole idea of a message being entrusted points to an author-centered understanding of the message, not a reader-centered one. In other words, what matters is the content of the original message, not what I might think it means.

A second observation is that the message we have received is not our message. We are not free to fundamentally reshape the message according to our tastes and preferences. What needs to be valued is working within the parameters and holding to the teachings it establishes.

Third, while people might still do whatever they desire with God's word, in the end the Lord will judge our faithfulness and trustworthiness. Pursuing the commendation and approval of our Lord is what counts.

  1 Galatians 1:11,12 2 1 Timothy 1:11 3 2 Timothy 1:13,14; 2:2 4 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 4

by Barry Newton

Sometimes between planning who will prepare the turkey gravy and singing "Auld Lang Syne," being a peacemaker can seem like an insurmountable mountain. To scale the cliffs of conflict during this holiday season, here are a few tools which may prove beneficial.

• "What I Hear You Saying Is _____"

Have you ever been on the outside of an argument that snowballed? What typically happens? After she makes her case, then he makes his case. It is obvious to her that he did not get it. With growing emotional frustration, she states her case even more forcefully. Amazed at her deliberate stubbornness, he reiterates his position with escalating agitation. People can resist working together or genuinely considering another's viewpoint until they first feel as though they have been understood and validated. For this reason, acknowledging the other person's idea can greatly assist in working out a problem.

If we can reiterate in our own words another's perspective without denouncing it with negative words or setting it up to be attacked, typically we will gain a lot of distance on the cliff of conflict.

• "You've Got a Point"

This short phrase can be even more powerful than the previous suggestion. There is a book entitled, We Have Met the Enemy And They Are Partly Right. Many times a person does have a valid point, even if we do not agree with the whole package being presented. If we can validate their perspective, this can often provide great strides toward peaceful resolution.

• Identify the Issue and Each Person's Values

Knowing what the issue really is and why people are taking opposing positions can sometimes suggest creative solutions. If he is concerned about the money and her concern revolves around spending time with her family, then various solutions might be possible, such as: save up during the year or travel during a less expensive time of the year.

As Jesus sat down on a mountain he taught the people, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God."

by Barry Newton

At one time or another, while happily chatting with someone, many of us probably have opened the refrigerator and poured ourselves a nice, tall, cool glass of milk. Without giving it much attention, we took a large mouthful. Then the stench and the taste of thoroughly rancid milk overpowered our senses. If we were lucky we made it to the kitchen sink.

Not just milk turns repugnant. Can you imagine God gagging and being absolutely repulsed at something which was good? It has happened. Through Isaiah, God told his people, "stop bringing meaningless sacrifices! Your incense is detestable to me. ... I can not bear your evil assemblies."\1 Through song, David acknowledged the same truth. "You do not delight in sacrifice ... you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings."\2 What?

Had not God requested these very aspects of worship? Does God play mind games with his people by asking for something he does not want?

Through the poetry of Isaiah and David, God explained, "Take your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing wrong, learn to do right."\3 Although God's people were going through the right rituals of worship, their hearts were far from him, as evidenced by their sinful and rebellious lifestyle. Furthermore, David recognized, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise. ... Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar."\4

The message is clear. Unless we are first changed, our worship is transformed into something repugnant to God. This message is as vital today as it was then. While Christians do not offer animal sacrifices, we do offer up a sacrifice of praise from the fruit of our lips.\5

Is it not wonderful that what God asks of us is not beyond any of us? Let's be humble and repentant, a people whose lives are shaped by God's love, not darkness. As such, let's gather with grateful hearts to worship our merciful Almighty God.

1/ Isaiah 1:13 2/ Psalm 51:16 3/ Isaiah 1:16,17 4/ Psalm 51:17,19 5/ Hebrews 12:15

by Barry Newton

From sitting at a table while enjoying some coffee to casually chatting in a small group, I have heard several wives describe their husbands as being from the old school. How would you describe the husband and father in your family? In your understanding, do the attributes of the ideal Christian husband fit more closely with old school thinking, new school ideas or is it a mixed bag?

Regardless of whether someone might classify the model Christian husband as exhibiting more old school or new school qualities, Scripture challenges men to adopt a specific style of living epitomized by Christ's relationship to the church. So who do you think initiated loving service and has served the other more, Christ or the church?

Clearly, Christians respond to Christ's love; Jesus took the initiative./1 His love to tend to our well-being caused him to serve our needs. Not only his obedience to God's will, but also Jesus' love for us drove him to the cross. So, who has served the other more, Christ or the church? Christ. This is the model for the Christian husband.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her that he might make her holy, ... unblemished and holy. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives, even as their own bodies."/2

What does the model Christian husband look like? To follow the loving example of service found in the cross excludes a host of behaviors, attitudes, and motivations. Would a husband who is seeking his wife's well-being crudely degrade her or her ability? No. Would a Christlike man devoted to caring for his wife pursue a lifestyle characterized by issuing self-serving orders and policies? Absolutely not. Would household life be geared to revolve around him? Never.

Proactively, would not a husband shaped by the love of Christ seek to tend to the genuine needs of his wife? Would not such love motivate him to act and communicate through every avenue possible his desire to bless and care for her? Would not such a love create a history which would build her confidence that he was trustworthy and seeking her well-being? Husbands, behold the mandate of cross-shaped love for how you treat your wife!

There is something about the labels old school and new school which has bothered me deeply. Are not these tags sometimes dumped into a conversation to be the final word which can be spoken? Are not such pigeon holes sometimes evoked as a means to claim that someone is either incapable of change or to legitimize a lifestyle as merely being one option among equals? To such fatalistic and rationalistic attempts to dismiss living out Christ's love, Scripture holds forth a bold message about what a Christian husband ought to be. He loves his wife in the same way that Christ has loved the church by dying for her.

1/ 1 John 3:16; 4:9,10 2/ Ephesians 5:25,27,28

by Barry Newton

"You just do not understand me," lamented the young wife. Her feelings of alienation and frustration felt as though she was on a lonely raft in the midst of the sea.

Her husband was confident he knew exactly what was going on and what she needed. He had the answers if only she would be quiet long enough to listen to him. All this talk just irritated him more each moment. The drumbeat in his brain kept resonating, "Let's just cut to the chase and get on with solving this!"

The more he insisted he understood and tried to move them toward resolution, the more arrogant and distant he seemed to her. She so desperately wanted him to understand her. As far as she was concerned, he did not have a clue.

Communication can be difficult, especially if someone has difficulty expressing feelings, misinterprets another's motives, seeks sympathy or validation without indicating this is desired, or is not willing to divulge deep agendas. While people can have difficulty understanding one another, there is One who truly does understand each one of us.

Jesus left his glory and place with the Father to become flesh and blood, just like us. He was tempted in every way just as we are./1 Jesus knows the types of struggles you feel and go through./2 He knows the difficulty of facing hard decisions, where your heart desires to take one path but you know you should do something different. Jesus even knows rejection, loneliness, suffering, and ridicule to a degree that many of us will never experience.

Combine Jesus' ability to sympathize with our weaknesses along with God's complete understanding of our thoughts and motives/3 and that creates a powerful source of help. Our Lord might not always approve of our desires or choices, but he does understand what we are going through. He does sympathize. He does long to help. There is grace and mercy extended to us if we will approach the throne of grace./4

In view of the wonderful resource we have in our Lord, how much time have you spent in prayer lately talking to God? How much are you relying upon your High Priest to help you and strengthen you? Jesus understands.   1/ Hebrews 4:15; Mark 1:13 2/ Hebrews 2:17,18; 4:15 3/ Hebrews 4:13 4/ Hebrews 4:16