goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Cast Your Anchor

By Linda Tancs

“Can there be a more fitting pursuit in youth or a more valuable possession in old age than a knowledge of Holy Scripture? In the midst of storms it will preserve you from the dangers of shipwreck and guide you to the shore of an enchanting paradise and the ever-lasting bliss of the angels.”— St. Boniface

A vessel is secured in place by casting anchor. How anchored are you? Are you like a tree firmly planted (Psalm 1:3) notwithstanding conditions around you or do you define yourself as “a victim of circumstance”?

The Bible uses an anchor metaphor to describe the confident assurance we gain as Christians. As Hebrews 6:19 puts it, hope anchors the soul. Many people claim to be hopeful, but only an unfailing hope will guard and protect your soul during turbulent times.

What’s the best way to acquire this kind of hope? According to Zechariah 9:12, it’s by becoming a prisoner of hope, a hope so compelling that you can’t escape it. That kind of hope is filled with a confident expectation that God is always working in your best interest and that you’ll see the result in due time.

Don’t run aground over worldly concerns and the storms of life. Be grounded in hope and you’ll rise above your circumstances rather than be dictated by them.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

New Year, New You

By Linda Tancs

The advent of a new year brings a deluge of resolutions—to lose weight, exercise more, go back to school, get a new job, find a mate and so on. But the problem with new resolutions is that unless they’re accompanied by new thinking, they’re not likely to bear fruit. In other words, old thoughts trigger old behaviors.

Are you bringing old thinking into a new year? What kinds of thoughts are triggering the need to make a resolution in the first place? Those thoughts usually involve words like can’t, should, could, would, but, if only, always or never.

We all use those words. How do you use them? Do they relate to your resolutions? Keep a journal and track how often you think or speak those words.

You just might need a thought makeover—a renewal of your mind, as the Bible calls it. We’re called to a new thing, a new way, a new life, a new self (Isaiah 43:18-19; Philippians 2:5; Colossians 3:10). We’re encouraged to learn to think as He thinks (2 Corinthians 5:17). As new creatures in Christ, we’re called to resolve to do what He would do. And that’s the best resolution of all.

Happy New Year!

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Brightness of God

By Linda Tancs

Christmas is the glorious season of light, a celebration of Christ’s birth, the Light of the World (John 8:12). As the vigil of Christmas nears, many of you will gather around a Christmas tree, long a symbol of salvation and eternal life. Candle decorations, in particular, represent the light of Christ. In some cultures, candles placed in the windows or along driveways (luminarias) served historically as a guide for priests on their way to evening visits during the season.

St. John Chrysostom reminded congregants in the fourth century that Christ’s mission in humanity was to replace the night and darkness with the light of salvation. ‘Tis the season, then, to remember that God is light; in Him there is no darkness (1 John 1:5-7). Let His Word be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). As you walk in the Light of hope, peace, joy and love, you’ll serve as an example for others to experience God’s goodness, faithfulness and mercy (Matthew 5:16).

Merry Christmas!

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Who Do You Think You Are?

By Linda Tancs

Do you build bridges—or walls? Can you appreciate those who differ from you? Maybe you’re put off by others you encounter in everyday life who may have attributes differing from yours, like body art, piercings or multi-colored hair! Is your office culture homogenous or do you experience diversity? Don’t expect everyone to look, act and think the same way you do. James 2:1 reminds us not to show an attitude of partiality, prejudice or snobbery.

Jesus certainly showed what it means to broaden your circle of inclusion. To the shock of his Jewish compatriots, He associated with Samaritans, Romans and pagans, after all. Think of all the interpersonal conflict and war that has ensued over differences in ethnicity, cultural practices and gender, among other things. You need only read the daily paper for examples.

The best way to build bridges is to have a right heart attitude. 1 Samuel 16:7 exhorts us to see and think about other people the way God does—by looking at what’s on the inside. Then you’ll begin to view those you encounter as assets rather than potential liabilities.

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

A Primer on Prayer

By Linda Tancs

What does it mean to pray?

Matthew 6:5-14 teaches the value of secret prayer from a humble and fervent heart. The passage makes clear that prayer is intended to give God all the glory. When we pray for the hearing and approval of others (Matthew 6:5), we deny ourselves Trinitarian communion. As Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10 (AMPC), “Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ.” Secret prayer, therefore, means keeping our personal prayer experiences private rather than displaying them to impress people. Private prayer should also be short and simple (Matthew 6:7) so that the energy of prayer is spent in releasing faith rather than in reciting lengthy passages. Short and simple prayers are clearer and more powerful.

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13) illustrates the essential character of prayer as adoration, contrition, thanksgiving and supplication. In adoration, the prayer teaches us to recognize God’s holy nature (hallowed be Your name). As a matter of contrition, we are taught that prayer is a confession of sin and repentance (forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors). To forgive does not mean to agree with the offender but rather to leave vindication to God so that our own sins may be forgiven by Him. We are to be thankful for God’s intercession (lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil) and boldly ask for our daily needs to be met (give us this day our daily bread). In this manner, we pray in a way that glorifies the kingdom rather than our individual wants or needs (for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever).

Think about your petitions (work, home, health, relationships) and how to frame them in accordance with prayer’s essential character.

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Exploring the Bible

By Linda Tancs

It’s no secret that America’s Founding Fathers were greatly influenced by the Bible, using it to shape their personal and political views. So it’s perhaps appropriate that the nation’s first museum dedicated to the Bible should be located in Washington, D.C.  The Museum of the Bible, opened earlier this month, is housed in a 430,000-square-foot building just two blocks from the National Mall and three blocks from the nation’s Capitol. It boasts 40-foot-tall bronze doors at the entrance and a rooftop garden, along with eight floors using modern technology to explain ancient parables. Among its collections are first editions of the King James Bible, fragments of the Dead Sea Scroll, the first Bible to travel to the moon and the largest collection of Torah scrolls.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Hope Springs Internal

By Linda Tancs

What is hope? Dictionaries define hope as a belief that something is attainable. Biblically, we can define it as trusting, leaning on and relying on God to deliver us in every situation (Psalm 25:2). Hope begins on the inside with an expectation that God will provide whatever we need, both externally and internally.

So what happens when we lose hope? Proverbs 13:12 says that hope deferred makes the heart sick. Unlike deferred compensation in the business realm (which will get to you eventually), deferred hope is a loss of expectation, a state of despair. Despair provokes the attitude that it’s useless to hope for a better tomorrow.

Innumerable situations are ripe for producing despair, like the loss of property from a natural disaster, long-term unemployment, domestic abuse and chronic health conditions. How do you rekindle hope when you’re hurting? Romans 15:13 reminds us that God is our source of hope. When you place your faith and trust in Him, then the Holy Spirit works in you to restore hope.

Let go and let God. That’s what Job did. A man of exemplary faith, he never lost hope in God despite traumatic loss of his family, wealth and health. His persevering faith was rewarded in the end with a restoration of his fortunes. And, in the end, (like Job) the fulfillment of your hope will be a tree of life as promised in Proverbs, mending your heart, mind, body and spirit.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

C’mon Get Happy

By Linda Tancs

During trying times it’s hard to smile, much less be happy. But that’s especially when one needs to remember that happiness is more than just an emotion—it’s a state of mind. Choose to be happy. You reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7).

Take a cue from the Nordic countries. Apparently, they consistently place in the Top 10 of the World Happiness Report. And they’re happy to share their secret. In short, they embrace mindfulness (an awareness of the present moment), kinship and life’s simple pleasures.

Sounds a lot like Jesus’s approach toward life, doesn’t it? He mastered the art of being fully present and commanded those around him to be attentive, active and alert (Mark 13:37). In so doing, we’re more able to resist the temptation to react to circumstances that would otherwise steal our joy (Matthew 26:41). Kinship is a source of joy. In Jesus’s ministry, kinship in the sense of community, or belonging, is a central theme (especially as detailed in the Gospel of Luke). Jesus instructs his followers in Matthew 16:24 to put the needs of others above their own interests. In other words, don’t be selfish. Taking every opportunity to find kinship with others increases happiness, as Paul told the Philippians. Simply put, you can’t be both selfish and happy. And if you want to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, then be still (Psalm 46:10), don’t worry (Matthew 6:25-27) and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5).

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Stuff of Life

How many times do you think or say distasteful things about the “stuff” of life, those daily things like washing the dishes, driving to work or grocery shopping? Spend a day tallying up all the negative words and thoughts you have about daily chores and ordinary activities. You might be surprised how often you find yourself musing over what you hate or detest or just can’t stand. But life is made up of the little things: making the bed, shopping, dressing, cooking, driving in traffic and all the rest. When you hate the stuff of life, which comprises the act of living, then what part of life is left to love?

As the old saying goes, don’t sweat the small stuff because it’s all pretty small. In everything give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18). After all, Jesus came that you might have and enjoy life (John 10:10).

Zechariah 4:10 warns not to despise the day of small things, so be mindful how you think. As you think, so you are (Proverbs 23:7).
 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Better Love

By Linda Tancs

St. Augustine of Hippo remarked that there are two loves: love of God and love of the world. We should look at each of these as dually faceted—love of God relates to your love toward God and God’s love toward you, and love of the world relates to your love of the things of this world as well as the world’s love of you (in the form of adulation, reputation, etc.).

The Bible is replete with evidence of God’s love for us. After all, He gave us His only Son so that we might have eternal life (John 3:16). He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) that brings with it a spirit of adoption as children of God by which we cry “Abba” (Romans 8:15), an Aramaic word for father. Conversely, we are able to love others (including God) because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). God is love (1 John 4:8), and therefore He commands us to love Him as well as our neighbor (Luke 10:27).

Augustine aims at the fact that when we’re unable to love, then we do not know God. And when we do not know God, then love of the world is likely to ensue. First John 2:15-17 instructs that all of the things of this world— the pursuit of self-sufficient materialism that drives the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—are at odds with God. Likewise, the importance you place on the world’s love of you is a barrier to God’s love dwelling in you. The concept of “keeping up with the Joneses” epitomizes the point. It manifests in an upset of the love people/use things equilibrium. When one desires to be on a par with everyone else or to increase one’s standing or reputation at the expense of others, the result is often the use of people to get more of the things one loves, failing to recognize that other people or circumstances do not dictate our riches. Only God gives, and God can take away (Job 1:21).

God’s love is the better love, and Augustine exhorts us to let it take over. Will you?