Faith Venture

We have now traveled through Advent. We have celebrated the birth of Jesus.

Now what?

Reading the “Christmas Stories” again for the hundredth time, something sank into my consciousness. There were just two predictions–Jesus would be filled with the presence of God; Jesus would be a new (and last) King (Hebrew Messiah, English Anointed One, Greek Christos).

Jesus message was in the basic form “repent and enter the Kingdom of God.”

And if we read carefully, we see that God’s Kingdom (where Jesus is King) totally upends the Roman way. And the way of probably every king before or since.

Rome was all about power. Ruthless. Bloodthirsty. Like Herod having every male child under two years old in Bethlehem killed so that the new King of the Jews told to him by the Magi would not live to take his (Herod’s) place. Like the way the Romans dealt with Jerusalem and the Jews around AD 70.

Jesus kingdom:

• The leader must be a servant
• The culture was love, not power
• All are the same (see Paul–there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, and so forth)
• People are healed, not destroyed
• People’s lives are turned around, no longer sinners, but free

When we sign on to follow, it isn’t just to say a prayer and feel good…for a while. It is to enter the new kingdom and live a new life.

Starting now.

Hence, one of my favorite old folk songs

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back

Muscle mass is an indicator of health and longevity.

Therefore, resistance training with weights provides a tool and and a discipline to increase muscle mass for improved health and longevity.

We can view our heart as a muscle.

Jesus checked the state of our heart’s well-being–always.

Therefore, we must exercise our heart—not only from the point-of-view of our cardiologist, but also from the point-of-view of our spiritual cardiologist.

Perhaps resistance training for the heart consists of loving those whose views we disagree with. Or perhaps those whom we disdain. Say something nice to someone you wouldn’t normally socialize with. Perform a small act of kindness for the next person you meet. Exercise that muscle.

It’s an indicator of health and longevity.

Social media is anti-social.

Health foods are not healthy.

Thinking on these plays on words, I wonder:

How many Christians are not Christ-followers?

First century Jesus-followers were said to be part of The Way. It was the way of life—how they lived—that attracted more people to The Way. 

Living in a certain way led by Jesus’ teachings was the crucial truth. 

And still is.

“They” told you that you need to walk 10,000 steps a day for good health.

Then, we find out that the number 10,000 came about to fit a design in Japanese which looked good with the Kanji character for 10,000.

Then, another study says that 7,000 steps is good.

Followed by another study that the number of steps isn’t as important as how fast you take those steps.

I received a newsletter yesterday that put the number back to 10,000.

I study health, nutrition, exercise and have training and certificates for whatever good that does me.

That’s the trouble. There is some science, but not enough. Some opinion, but way too much.

Sometimes I feel that way about biblical studies and religious advice. Too many opinions; not enough life.

And many of us who try to put spirit to life fall short.

But, we try.