Bishop Matthew Thomas

Overseeing Asia and the Western United States

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Living Proof

We live in a day when so many people are saying "show me the proof" in reference to our testimony about God.  We know that "love" is the evidence that will tell the world who we are (John 13:35).  We know that the love of God is proof for others that we are "of God" and living "in God."  That is the proof for others.  But, what about proof for those of us who already believe.  What proof do we have? 

The Holy Spirit is our proof (1 John 4:13) and our guarantee (Ephesians 1:14).  It is the internal witness of the Holy Spirit that God's promises are revealed as true, that God is alive and active in us.  He is the evidence to us of Christ's presence in us (John 15:26).  He is our proof and assurance. 

If you labor to know the truth and struggle to know God's presence, ask the Spirit of God to make his presence clear to you.  Seriously!  Ask him.  Jesus said, "You have not because you ask not."  That should not be a verse held hostage by those who think we need to incessantly ask God for "stuff."  We don't need stuff.  We need the Holy Spirit and the help in our weakness that only he can bring (Romans 8:26-27).  This is most clearly the case with those who struggle with God's assurance.  They haven't asked God for the presence of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of knowing the One for whom they can live.  They might just want an experience- not the Spirit himself.  The Holy Spirit is not an experience to enjoy, but a Comforter, to engage us.  I've never known him to leave us in the dark.  He fills God's people with light and with God's Presence that leaves assurance the size of an ocean in our souls. 

July 09, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Take Nothing for Granted

There is a problem with volume.  In the current day, it is possible to do so much that one can move right past something or someone without notice.  I have developed a pattern of creating space for immediate reflection- pauses of sorts.  With the flurry of activity, it is possible to miss something, pass someone by, forget to say "thank-you," skip over a sought response, plod through from one thing to the next without thinking much about how the "one thing" actually went. 

It is possible to process without processing.  We can get through a process without thinking about how our process actually went.  "Speed kills" is not only appropriate for automobiles.  But, it applies for those who rush from one thing to the next without giving due consideration to both. 

July 05, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Excited about General Conference

I do not think I would be very excited about General Conference if there was not much to celebrate.  However, there is.  I have been in churches this year that have grown by over 100% in one year.  I have been in churches where more than 30 people were baptized  in one day.  I have heard testimonies of the homeless who no longer are; of broken people who no longer are; of separated couples who no longer are and of churches that were formerly isolated from their communities but no longer are. 

The Free Methodist Church is in better shape in many places than many might imagine.  I spoke with a newly ordained pastor who is in the process of seeking to affiliate their congregation with one of our Conferences.  The pastor said, "there is such high excitement that many of our congregation wanted to come to see and hear what is going on in the FMC.  Another person in one of the Annual Conferences earlier this summer said, "I have been in the Free Methodist Church all my life and I like everything I am seeing and hearing.  I feel like this church is moving back to its roots and moving forward with God's blessings." 

So, when we show up in New York next week, it will be with an eagerness to hear more, experience more and look forward to God challenging his church to do more and be more like Jesus than ever before.  Please pay and share your story with others. 

July 05, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

You Can't

“You can’t do it.  Don’t even try.”  That kind of talk is something foreign, almost surprising and grating to our ears.  More and more in schools we are told that we can do anything we put our mind to.  Inspirational speakers tell their inspirational stories about how their dreams came about when the odds seemed insurmountable.  People experiencing incredible disability and weakness often tell their harrowing story about how they picked themselves up, refused pity and made something of their lives.  We are simply told over and over again that there is nothing too difficult for us, nothing impossible for us and nothing beyond our reach if we would simply believe, try, refuse to give up or refuse to say, “I can't!” 

Such a high level of determination is good.  Perseverance is a virtue in anyone’s book.  Faith makes all of the difference.  Accepting challenge is exemplary.  And, in day-to-day functioning, this is laudable advice and testimony.  But, with regard to our salvation, this cultural “can do” spirit can be our undoing.  There are some things we cannot do.  Saving ourselves is one.  Being good enough to earn God's grace is a contradiction in terms.

There are many people who have faced incredible odds and have come out on top who know for certain their reliance upon Go.  Among them are Nick Vujicic and Joni Erickson-Tada.  They say straight out, “You can’t do this without God.”  And, “The biggest lie is the lie telling you that you can do it on your own.”  You can see and hear this warning yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3LFBqvvW-M at the 8:35 point of this video from Nick.  Our ability to produce the final good in our lives is beyond our self-reach. 

Truly, beyond the need for God’s grace for our salvation, we have a daily need for God’s grace and love for our maturing and perfecting in every area of life.  So, as much as we might not like the sentences at the beginning of this blog because they seem to speak of limitation, we should find comfort in them.  “You can’t do it.  Don’t even try.”  But, carnal pride tries anyway.  Many have even read the Bible in a cut-and-paste way.  I have heard people say and songs affirm “All things are possible” and “I can do all things,” leaving the rest of the verses out (Mark 10:27; Philippians 4:13).  The verses actually say, “All things are possible with God” and “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”  Nothing is too big, too hard, too imposing, too impossible . . .  for God.  Don’t trust in a half-truth- they  are only cloaked lies.  Trust God and witness the humanly impossible. 

June 01, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Struggle or Satisfaction

There is an inherent tension in life that is seldom talked about in Christian or other circles.  It is the tension between struggling and satisfaction or challenge and contentment.  We know that it is good to be content.  The Bible says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6).  And, no doubt, true godliness leads to true contentment.  They are good bedfellows.  Contentment and satisfaction are little sisters and outcomes of peace. 

However, it is assumed by many that if you are content, you will not desire or press for more.  But, the whole Bible is about pressing for more and wrestling with evil and all kinds of struggle and sacrifice.  The very nature of true faith often leads us to move on to places we have not yet arrived and accept challenges that are beyond our current state and ability.  People who are willing to do God’s will often find themselves in positions of challenge and sacrifice.  That is about moving forward and about NOT being content to sit down or stop.  And there lies the tension.  We are to be content and we are to struggle.  The same apostle, Paul, said both.  He is the one who talked about godliness with contentment.  He is the same one who said, “I press on to win the prize . . .” (Phil. 3:14) and “I labor, struggling with all His power . . .” (Col. 1:29).  So, content and pushing forward seem to oddly be side by side. 

Perhaps the tension is relieved a little when we think about where our contentment and struggling lay.  I believe that the texts would prove out and Jesus’ life would demonstrate that the contentment or satisfaction should be in our station in life and level of personal comfort.  We should never or rarely worry and fret over advancing that.  Jesus did not.  He seemed quite unconcerned about increasing personal access to creature comforts.  The struggle, however, should be about moving to eliminate hardship and injustice in others- to advance God’s will.  Jesus sacrificed everything to accomplish that.  In other words, we should not be so consumed with trying to make life better for ourselves and should be more consumed about making life better for others and bringing Glory to God.  We should be unsettled by the struggles of others and settled in God’s presence with us in our circumstances.  The same man who said, “I press on” and “I struggle” also said, “I have learned the secret of being content. . . .”  These are not contradictions.  They address the question, “Who is the primary beneficiary?”

So, the tension should likely be more about “who it is for” than “what it is.”  And, since our humanity is naturally bent on itself, it is a real tension for most.  After all, most human struggle is about self-survival and personal advancement.  Living in that place makes contentment and satisfaction illusive altogether.  The tension diminishes when we let God unbend us from the natural to the life in the Spirit.  The tension takes care of itself.    

May 28, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Keeping Clear

I am a person who likes to "tell it like it is" or give an opinion when asked.  Most folks are like that to some degree.  I am like that to a great degree.  In fact, I have been known to give unsolicited and perhaps even unwanted opinions.  But, hey, that's the way I like to engage folks- unashamedly.  So, when it comes to religion, politics, weather, natural disasters, sports, entertainment, world events and even the economy, I can hold my own and wear my thoughts on my sleeve. 

Having said that, I have found that many conversations are of an open and sincere kind where honesty, transparency and openess are lauded and appreciated.  Those are the ones in which I dive headlong.  But, there are others where questions are no more than a trap.  The people with whom you are conversing are simply looking for something in which to find fault or leverage a comment against you or your world view.  It is intellectually dishonest and relationally harmful. 

In these later times, I have found it just better to keep from taking the bate.  I think there is a good precedence in doing so.  Jesus seemed to answer the honest questions with honest and sincere answers.  Whether it is a man seeking help for his demon possessed son or a woman at a well who was embarrassed by and trying to justify her own poor choices or a blind man who simply wants to see, Jesus engages them without hesitation.  But, for Herod who wants to see and hear magic and the Pharisees who were constantly setting legal traps, it seems as though "the cat had Jesus' tongue."  He became silent or spoke in parables or gave a conversation-stopper reply.  At those times it is not an unwise response or governed by shyness or cowardice.  It is truly the best way to answer the silly or foolish- with little or no reply.

So, keep in step with Jesus.  Engage without hesitation with those who really want to know you and understand life from your perspective.  Put the breaks on the opinions with those who simply want amunition to debunk, criticize or hurt.  Engage deeply or keep clear.  Wisdom requires we know the "time to speak and the time to remain silent" (Ecclesiastes 3:7).     

May 25, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Acting on Purpose

I haven't written a blog entry for some time.  I have been traveling feverishly around the globe (something of which I am not very fond).  Seriously, I enjoy a dental chair more than an airplane seat.  But, at least my mouth is in better shape than if I spent that much time in the dental chair. 

On my travels, I have met with some of the most interesting people I have ever met.  Some of them are very skilled; some very unskilled.  For some reason, I have discovered that many of them are at crossroads in life.  Of course we all face times of decision.  The economy has forced many of decisions due to dissolving jobs and better opportunities elsewhere.  The usual issues of changing life status is another factor in the crossroads concern.  Regardless of the reason, I have noticed that in making major life decisions, many of these new friends are considering concerns larger than themselves.  In several cases, very little was mentioned about potential salary, benefits, improved living environments or a place that provides for security or advancement.  Most of the conversation was about getting close to family, doing something that matters signficantly for the betterment of the world or fulfilling a desire to follow a passion for good. 

This trend is encouraging.  It demonstrates that people are acting on purpose, rather than on self.  People are making decisions on the basis of call rather than comfort.  These are good signs.  However, I wish that many of these folks were more bent on making that purpose, something that is one step further removed from the self- God's purpose for them and this world.  It is good to do things beyond personal comfort.  It is something altogether better to do something because we have been constrained by God's call upon our lives to do it.  That shifts our decisions from being altruistic to being transformational.  As odd as it sounds to some, I have asked them, "Have you prayed about this?"  "Do you have a peace that God is in this?"  It might sound odd to some, but it has sounded offensive to none.  I think most people would like to think that there is someone bigger that cares.  Acting on purpose is good.  Acting for God's purposes is better.     

May 17, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

The Big Objection

I love God.  There’s no doubt about that.  It is because He has deeply loved me and proven it over and over and over again.  I know what grace IS like and FEELS like.  I have personally experienced it and have grown to experience it more throughout my Christian life.  Love itself becomes overwhelming as the nature of the supply begs the belief in a supplier.    

But, there are countless millions who are not convinced.  They haven’t been inside the house of faith, viewing the world through the presence and eyes of the Spirit of God.  They have not become intimately acquainted with Jesus as the lover of their souls.  They’re still trying to figure out whether there is such a thing as eternity or sin or redemption.  Maybe their mind is already made up by committed disbelief.  I’m not just talking about the people who have never given Jesus a second thought.  I’m talking, now, about people who have given the matters very serious thoughts.  In fact, the more they think about it, the angrier or more cynical they become.  The name of Jesus conjures a visceral reaction in them.  They cannot fathom how rational people could possibly believe such archaic and crude things about a world that cannot be seen and a God who is unseen and unable to be questioned face to face.

There is a growing anti-god community in the U.S. and around the world that spends much time refining and sharing their thoughts on matters in opposition to faith.  I have spoken with more than a few in recent years.  I have blogged and e-chatted with even more.  A new term that is used by many has reflected a shift in climate and acceptability of their anti-god resolve.  Many of this mindset prefer the term “bright” to atheist.”  Atheist is a negative term, about what is NOT believed.  Bright is a positive term inferring liberation from the stranglehold of irrational belief.  Some hold glowingly to the title, inferring that religious belief at its core is intellectually naïve, uninformed or dishonest. 

However, as I frequently engage in the discussion or debate on religious matters, one non-sequitur in the argument continues to plague the discussion.  It goes something like this.  “There cannot be a God because science has disproved the notion of god and anthropology has confirmed that suspicion by the testimony of evolved religious ideas that are enculturated in control and social pressure.”  Then, when pushed on competing or contradicting evidences or ideas from an intellectual posture, which are many and that may lead one to different conclusions, the argument shifts.  It generally follows something along this line.  “What kind of God would hold people in fear of damnation, endorse the endless stream of wars in his name and offer people who are otherwise cruel and inhumane a free pass to heaven simply by praying a quick prayer of forgiveness?  If God is real and powerful and loving as the Bible suggests, why do we see the evil that is so prevalent today without him seemingly willing to lift his omnipotent  finger to change things?  Doesn’t that make him the cruelest of cruel- to possess power and refuse to use it for good?” 

I could go on and on with the nuances of the argument.  Sometimes the discussion takes different turns.  But, the shift is almost mind boggling when you get to the end of the discussion.  It almost always starts with “there is no God” and ends with “because if there were, he wouldn’t do things this way.”  It purports a scientific, logical basis but results in anger toward the what they think of God, which may or may not be true.  These are two separate arguments.  At least they should be.  The first argument insists that there can be no god(s) based upon reason.  The other suggests there must not be a god, based upon emotion.  The first uses an objective rationale.  The other is steeped in subjective frustration.  The first is making an argument for disbelief.  The other is giving a testimony of personal reasons for disbelief.  The first calmly argues from reason.  But, if challenged, the calm gives way to froth. 

I often wonder if the second “reason” is not steering the first “rationale.”  In other words, the main thing is not what it appears to be.  But, it is understandable to begin the argument that way.  After all, it would seem a little disingenuous to begin with personal opinion and try to end up with fact.  The cat is already out of the bag.  Hence, most people with Darwin stickers on their car have no idea about the severe impact that their childrens’ deaths, especially Annie’s death at 10 years old, impacted his wife Emma’s faith and brought him to some of his weighted conclusions.  Somehow, people have made Darwin’s conclusions purely rationally based, devoid of personal context.  History contradicts that, however.  So the rational seems to make the power of the emotion a diminished factor. 

The weight of the argument makes more sense to reverse the order of emotion to reason that so powerfully affects the argument- begin with incontrovertible fact (if there is such a thing) and then air opinion of disappointment or anger toward any contrary or competing belief.  In other words, crush opposing views with the mind and then relax back into the emotion of it all- a tirade of rancor toward a God who should not be believed in rather than could not be reasonably believed in. 

I often wonder if the “facts of the case” might not be radically different if they were not so heavily tainted with the “disappointment with or disdain toward the possibility” of God.  I have often thought that it is very difficult to argue a case when there is so much emotional commitment to the conclusion before the argument begins.  My prayer is often, “God, don’t let an arsenal of facts be built on the basis of emotion, anger or heartfelt disappointment.  Instead, let the hurt flow alongside an openness to the possibility of an answer.” 

Your best option in dealing with someone “raging with reason” is to put the argument down and prayerfully ask God to convict, convince and convert.  Trust me.  You cannot calm the raging rationale.  But, God can. 

April 29, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Saturday Between the Cross and the Empty Tomb

It is Saturday.  It is one of the most unusual Saturdays on the calendar.  Generally, we think of Saturday as the beginning of the short weekend, a play day, a day to see family, a day to do much needed house or yard work.  But, one Saturday every year is very different from the others- the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. 

I have never fully known what to do with this day.  The closest we get to a service of worship, generally, is an egg hunt on church property.  Of course, there is a name for this day in the Christian calendar.  It is Liminal Saturday.  Liminal comes from the Latin word limnus which means doorway.  It is the limbo day between the cross and the resurrection.  It was a day when the disciples were between complete despair and elation.  It was the day where the mother and disciples of Jesus were trying to get reoriented to life without him.  And, for the modern Christian, it is generally a day for contemplation of the whole event. 

However, annually on this particular day, something always strikes me.  It was the day that no one new anything, where nothing made sense at all.  The resurrection had not yet occurred, giving meaning to the whole thing and hope for eternity.  The cross seemed about as sensible as pigs flying AND ruling the universe.  So, rather than a day of contemplation, I’m confident that the first Liminal Saturday was a day of stunned silence and seemingly unanswerable questions.  What just happened?  Why didn’t he come down?  How could they get away with this?  Where do we go from here?  The cross, at that point made no sense whatever.  The grave was still full, leaving no better sense of the future.  I’m sure that the locked room filled with disciples and the ladies preparing to attend to the bodies are evidence of little expectation of resurrection among even his family and friends. 

Today is a day where I think about all of the stuff that makes absolutely no sense.  I think about God’s kingdom come to earth on an earth that is doing everything in its power to extinguish the idea of God.  I think about how God’s heart for his church is to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly before him in a world where injustice seems to be on the increase, mercy and humility are rare commodities even in the church.  I think about how God could fix things if he were so inclined, but chooses to fix things largely through those of us who need some fixing ourselves.  I think about the return of Christ that would do nicely if it were today, but it is still on hold for reasons we will not know until heaven. 

The great thing about this Saturday for us, however, is the perpetual hope that addresses all of our questions simply because we know what happened on Easter Sunday.  You can pile up the questions a mile high.  You can leave them unanswered for now.  You can meditate and ruminate all you want.   You can puzzle with me.  But, we should do it with a quiet confidence that every one of them will one day be answered.  It will all make sense someday, because it all made sense the very next day- the day after Saturday. 

April 23, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The Easiest Way to Learn Culture

We all know that the best way to learn is by doing.  Now, we must say that some learning can only be done through instruction.  It is difficult to learn about at atom by doing something.  We are constrained to learn about astro-physics, but understanding the math and conceptuals. 

But, if you want to learn how to garden, how to drive a car, how to do public speaking, how to play a saxophone, how to learn another language or how to play basketball, a book is only going to get you so far. In anything that requires developed skill, you must exercise the skill. 

The reason I mention this is that learning culture is something that requires exposure to culture.  I'm concerned in this area.  I see too many people relying upon books to learn that which only experience will perfect.  I have watched person after person reading materials to better understand this generation or that ethnic group, this age demographic or that urban context, this race or that needy social group.  The best way to learn is to dive in.  Get to know some folks across the tracks.  Spend time doing what might seem simple to you, but is of utmost value and complexity to someone else. 

And, the best way to do that is to get right down to the boring parts of that connection.  Drive a person without a license to get their groceries and visit with them for a couple of hours while cooking the bounty from shopping.  Invite a person from another culture to your home every week for a meeting of the minds and a conversation (and/or prayer) over life.  The reason you should do the boring parts is that culture comes out most clearly in the day to day.  Special events just don't do it. 

By the way, learning to play a saxophone or speak a language or garden has lots of boring parts that require mind-numbing repetition.  You don't learn in the concert hall or giving a speech.  So, dive in.  That is the easiest and best way to learn a culture.  Put the book down, back-up and nobody gets hurt. 

April 21, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

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Recommended Reading from Bishop Thomas

  • Richard J. Foster: Spiritual Classics : Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines

    Richard J. Foster: Spiritual Classics : Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines

  • David Batstone: Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It

    David Batstone: Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It

  • James Bryan Smith: A Spiritual Formation Workbook  - Revised edition: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth

    James Bryan Smith: A Spiritual Formation Workbook - Revised edition: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth

  • Jim Henderson: a.k.a. "Lost" : Discovering Ways to Connect with the People Jesus Misses Most

    Jim Henderson: a.k.a. "Lost" : Discovering Ways to Connect with the People Jesus Misses Most

  • Reggie  McNeal: Practicing Greatness : 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders (J-B Leadership Network Series)

    Reggie McNeal: Practicing Greatness : 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders (J-B Leadership Network Series)

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