Peering Into the Mystery of the Trinity

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Nicaean Fathers

Nicaean Fathers at the Council of Nicaea

In my mystical journey with God, there are times His voice speaks with absolute clarity. Moments of divinely inspired clarity are impinging, powerful to alter course and consciousness. At the beginning of this year, one such moment of lucidity set the pace of my pursuit. 2013 will be, for me, a year of rediscovering the Trinity. After a lifetime of familiarity with the cardinal attributes of God, my heart suddenly desires to rediscover Him. Perhaps I’ve swam in waters too shallow to fulfill my thrill-seeking urges. Possibly the Spirit of God is leading me out of misinformation. No matter the cause of stir, I’m thankful for the agitation that has awoken me from (quite honestly) a bout of theological boredom. Can you relate?

The concept of the Trinity has bewildered me in times past. As a teacher in the church, I have been completely dissatisfied with the methods of explaining the mystery of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as 3 in 1. I’ve used the three-leaf clover, an egg, water, 3-in-1 shampoo, and many other devices to try to illustrate how the Godhead co-exists and interrelates. However, each of these less-than-brilliant devices have left me frustrated by their oversimplifications. Something never quite set right with me about how the Trinity has traditionally been communicated. By our efforts to wrap the topic up in a nice, neat package that is easily deliverable in a 30-minute Sunday morning lecture, we’ve robbed the Trinity of its glorious mystery.

Yesterday, in our Sunday morning service, I attempted to unwrap the package and re-open the cold case of how the Trinity co-exists and interacts. Certain questions need to be raised in the days ahead – questions that I feel might affect the way we interpret scripture. The light is changing, casting shadows on areas that once seemed quite illumined and illuminating areas that once seemed ominous. My gut instinct, when it comes to revolutionary thought, is to begin by returning to the basics, rather than trying to affect change on the fringes. In my sermon I address certain questions that have fueled my research in recent days, such as:

  • Is the Trinity one player in the roles of three persons?
  • How does modalism, Oneness, or Jesus-Only doctrine adversely affect our view of the Godhead?
  • Is there a hierarchy among God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?
  • In Heaven, will we be able to visually see the three separate persons of the Godhead? Do they coexist in eternity?
  • How has our shallow understanding of the Trinity hindered the church?
  • Why did the Trinity create us, and for what purpose?

For a time, the video of my sermon is available to you. Again, my aim is not to sew it up neatly but to unravel and raise some soul-searching questions. Should you care to join the conversation, please reply to this post with your comments, thoughts and queries. Remember, you are loved, valued and respected as a fellow seeker of truth. Blessings!

Watch Video: The Triunity of the Godhead

Remarks on the Church’s Response to Newtown, Connecticut

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newtownFriday morning’s incident at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut has stopped pre-Christmas America in her tracks. Yesterday, I was one of many Christmas shoppers huddled around a store television to watch the story unfold. In horror, we’ve cried along with the parents and citizens of Newtown – wondering how could something like this could happen? The news feed on Facebook is an understandable blend of outrage, heartbreak and compassion. There are, however, voices claiming to be “Christian” who are adding insult to injury with heedless comments. Also disconcerting, is the religious proclivity to rush to judgment on certain unknowables. This, my friend, is conversation unfitting a believer, and unChristian in nature. In this video, I offer some insight as to how a Christian should respond, as well as some research touching a few plaguing questions, like:

1. What traits are common to mass killers?
2. How could a person kill innocent children?
3. Are there warning signs?
4. Where was God?
5. How can a parent or friend know there is a risk of such violence in a loved one?

The second half of the message, is a look at the anointing of healing that belongs to the true church, and how that anointing is cultivated and preserved. I welcome your thoughts and comments and offer my prayers for all affected by the Newtown Shooting.

Watch video, here.

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Game On!

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Rock bottom probably best describes the morale of the church in the wake of our recent elections. Devastating losses in the ballot measures, in my home state of Maryland, had us reeling the next morning. Being denied a conservative president for the next four years also dashed the hopes of many in our circles who were hoping for change from the top down. Whatever will we do, seeing former strategies have failed us? The following message, delivered this morning at the Lighthouse, is my response to the elections, and a prescription for how believers can recover and regain some sense of direction. Friend, it’s not time to give up. Game on!

Watch the video: Game On!

The Year 5773: Ayin Gimel

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Sundown on September 16, 2012 marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah or Jewish New Year. According to Hebrew tradition, today, the earth turns 5773 years old. 5773 will be known as the year ayin gimel, or ’73. This year will reveal the Lord as our “Gracious Benevolent Redeemer.” The Hebrew alphabet doubles as numbers giving each character a numerical value.  Since each Hebrew character possesses a pictorial meaning as well, there are layers of richness to each letter/number.  Pictorial dates tell a story, revealing the Creator’s design for that particular year. Jewish calendar year, 5773, is pregnant with opportunities for recovery and redemption. Before we investigate this year’s potential, feel free to revisit last year’s forecast here. I believe you will find it largely telling as to what you have been experiencing in past months.

During 5772, the winnower was at work, sifting the chaff from the wheat. Not one of us has escaped the process of being tossed and shaken. Rejoice, friend! Though you may feel stripped and inadequate, useless chaff has been loosed from your life. Divine ruach (the breath of God) has blown consistently upon even the most solid areas of your life. Unrelenting at times, the ruach has tempered your faith and has given you new perspective. Yesterday’s sweet spot is today’s chaff. Chaff is the husk or encasing that surrounds the kernel of grain during its maturation process. What protected and nurtured you in times past will be separated from you in the day of sifting. Only after experiencing the winnower’s wind can you be ready for inclusion in the next chapter of Father’s plan.

Sifting differentiates between what is worthless and what is of value. Many in Father’s house, are feeling quite worthless because the wind has blown away what they found central to their identity. Some things have departed that once gave us a sense of great significance. Perhaps you have drawn your identity from a particular assignment, ministry, relationship, or season of past success? Much has blown away in the winds of 5772. Chaff has value and purpose, in its season. Wisdom beckons us to recognize the seasonal quality of what or who has exited your life in the sifting. Chalk it up to process.

Sifting reveals not only the chaff, but also the mature, whole grain. You have been discovered on the threshing floor of God’s house [this is the fulfillment of ayin bet or 5772].

Gimel or “3″

Number “3″ in the aleph-bet, gimel, is symbolic of the camel. Gimel’s pictograph depicts a walking camel’s head, neck and forelegs. Camels are burden-bearing beasts employed by kings of old. Unusually tolerant of heat, long periods of time can pass between waterings, making the camel the desert-traveler’s choice of transportation. For many, the past season has been a desert of hardship. Frankly, I struggled sharing this word in light of the prevalent discouragement among the body of Christ. The promises of God, however, stand regardless of our disappointments. “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar,” Romans 3:3-4 NIV. Don’t abandon hope, but humbly accept the word God has planted in your heart, for it has the power to save your soul. During ayin gimel, the Lord will demonstrate faithfulness to the one who counts Him as faithful.

Camels are the desert ships of kings and their riches. In 2 Chronicles 9:1, the Queen of Sheba brought Solomon gold, gems and spices on a caravan of camels. Eliezer brought the bride, Rebecca, home to Isaac on a caravan of camels. Kings and wealthy businessmen used camels to transport goods along trade routes. The following facts are shared on the American Bible Society website.

  • Camel caravans were important to the economies of cities and empires.
  • Camels are the best desert pack animals due to their amazing strength.
  • They can carry anywhere from 350-1000 pounds each!
  • Passengers could ride atop or be carried in baskets on either side.
  • Camels can live on and digest thorny plants in the desert.
  • Camels can survive many days without water as their body stores and releases water on journeys.
  • Camels have callouses that protect them from the scorching sand.
  • The eyelashes of the camel protect him from the blinding sun and the blowing sand.
  • Camels possess an acute sense of smell that leads them to desert water sources.

Benevolent

Ayin gimel illustrates the Father’s ability to provide for His children, even in a barren wasteland. The Talmud [writings of Jewish civil and ceremonial law] depicts gimel as a wealthy man running to overtake an impoverished man with provision. Jesus, our wealthy king, has methods of sourcing His people during times of hardship. He is not limited in how He can achieve gimel’s aim! As I write, my husband reminds me of a vision he had some months ago that corroborates this word. In his vision, a group of people were walking across a stage. From behind the stage curtain, a man emerged to overtake the group. In a surprising gesture, he wrapped his arms around a passerby, not to harm but to bless. Jonathan wrote the vision down (a seed of confirmation for the year 5773). As we cross the stage of ayin gimel, One will be revealed Who is poised to overtake us with mercies. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,” Psalm 23:6 KJV.

Redeemer

Gimel illustrates the redemptive power of Christ. It could be said that the camel is a type of Christ, Who lifts others and carries their burdens. Many will traverse the wilderness of 5773 in the basket strapped to gimel’s side. Don’t stop short with the mere hope of survival. Never doubt that God can redeem the losses of your prior season! Gimel never arrives on the scene empty-handed. “See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him,” Isaiah 40:10 NIV.

Gracious

As the number “3″, gimel speaks of the third person of the Trinity. If aleph “1″ is the Father – and bet “2″ is the Son; then, gimel “3″ is the Holy Spirit of truth that proceedeth from the Father and son (John 15:26). It is the graciousness of the Holy Spirit that works redemption not only for us, but in us. Furthermore, it is the gracious Holy Spirit that works through us to make us agents of redemption and benevolence for others. This is the work of grace.

The forecast for 5773 ends at a dichotomy. In the days ahead, we will both receive and become benevolence from Heaven. Those who consume Father’s kindnesses and do not return the grace, will face years of leanness ahead. The one who receives from gimel and in turn pays it forward, will become a part of Heaven’s caravan. “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed,” Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV.

I leave you with this challenge. Give to others this year as never before. If you’re struggling to put food on your table, give to another of the little you do have. If ends don’t ever seem to meet, work to bless another family in need. As we release our material wealth to gimel, Father can redeem us from materialism, fear and self-centeredness. Truly we depend on Christ to be our gimel in this year. However, by the end of gimel’s season, we should have become the camel of provision in others’ lives.

Based on what we know about the camel, expect that you will grow into the following Christ-like traits:

  • You will become important to the economy round about you.
  • You will have developed amazing strength by learning to bear other’s burdens.
  • Just as the camel can live on and digest thorny desert plants, so the undesirable things of this season will serve to fuel your journey.
  • There will be times of refreshing that will hydrate you for lengthy periods.
  • Your travels have given your feet callouses that will serve to protect you from the blistering sands.
  • The eyelashes of the camel protect him from the blinding sun and the blowing sand. Just the same, your vision will not be impaired by inopportune circumstances.
  • Camels possess an acute sense of smell that leads them to desert water sources. You will prove the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit Who leads you in the way you should go – the way everlasting.

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Are We At Risk of Miscarrying Destiny?

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The following word came to me on the heels of a 40-day fast that concluded just weeks ago. Father gave me Hosea 13:13 as I sought Him early one morning. During this fast, there was a strange lull of revelation. Holy Spirit was present watchfully and protectively, but not necessarily conversantly. Since Father wasn’t saying much during my fast, surely He would order an epiphany for my first Saturday afterwards! With coffee in hand and MacBook on lap, I was ready for THE Word. In the deafening silence of that morning, I turned to Hosea 13. These words greeted me like the toll of a cathedral bell.

Hosea 13:12-13, “The guilt of Ephraim is stored up, his sins are kept on record. Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he does not come to the opening of the womb.”

More than just a little perplexed, I turned quickly to my study aids for understanding. Because of idolatry, Ephraim (not just the name of a tribe, but a name representative of the entire Northern Kingdom) stood at the seat of judgment. The predominant sin of Ephraim, or the Northern Kingdom, was instituting Golden Calf worship. In 1 Kings 12, Jeroboam sought to keep the Israelites of the Northern Kingdom from visiting their temple in Judah. To keep hearts and loyalties, he built two different temples of worship – one in Dan and the other in Bethel. Within each of these temples, Jeroboam erected a golden calf as a symbol of Jehovah. Levites were fired and new priests were hired to serve the calves.

Interestingly, the name Dan means “a judge” while Bethel means “the house of God.” Certainly we have entertained idols that have affected our ability to rightly judge and discern a matter. Idolatry blinds the idolater and keeps him from seeing the truth. That there are idols in “the house of God” is no longer in question. Where idols are tolerated, the manifest presence of God is not. Both the temples of Dan and Bethel were constructed at strategic places for the convenience of Ephraim’s worshipers. No longer would they have to make the long trek to Judah! They could travel much shorter distances to pay homage to the misnomered calves. Our modern Christianity is packaged in convenience, making it much more tolerable to be a worshiper of “Jehovah.”

But God did not accept the new priesthood, nor the symbols of His deity. He counted all this as sin that must be purged before Ephraim could enter his destiny.

With this back story, the words of Hosea 13:12-13 carry poignancy. Let us read them again from the New Living Translation.

“Ephraim’s guilt has been collected, and his sin has been stored up for punishment. Pain has come to the people like the pain of childbirth, but they are like a child who resists being born. The moment of birth has arrived, but they stay in the womb!”

Ephraim is at the same time a travailing mother unable to give birth, and an unborn child unwilling to come to the birth canal. Ephraim is both at risk of dying while giving birth and dying in the womb. Just as Hosea melds two metaphors, so must we to glean the prophetic implications of this word. For the purpose of exhortation, let us assume the identity of Ephraim. Let us admit that we have tolerated idolatry in our worship and in our “righteous” judgments. The Invisible God of the Mercy Seat in Judah has been replaced by the glitz and gold of a tangible symbol. It no longer requires faith to please Him, but a token sacrifice of convenience. Comfort and locality dictates where we will associate with Jehovah. Politics have ousted God’s power, leaving us to consult our deaf and dumb calves for help in the day of trouble. The risk is…

1. We are at the point of giving birth to the greatest move the earth has ever seen… yet we might die on this birthing table. Either we repent of idolatry, or remain unable to give birth.

2. We have come to full-term, fully matured in our purpose and destiny. Our idolatry, however, keeps us retreating to the recesses of the womb. Unless we forsake comfort, convenience, and tangible confirmations of what is “God” in our lives… we’ll be still-born.

Hosea doesn’t leave Ephraim hopeless in labor. He makes this promise in verse 14 NIV, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.” If we are penitent and willing, He will mercifully spare us from the horrors of premature death.

The decision is ours.

Will we confront our idols?

or

Will we continue in blind denial and forfeit our journey?

Wake up, friend. Your calling and election is not sure. You must make it so. Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:10 NIV, “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall.” At this point in the game, there are no more time outs to call. It is not the time for vacation or retreat. Likewise, it is not the time to backslide. Just yesterday, my husband and I were talking about how many seasoned Christians had backslid in our circle of acquaintances over the past couple of years. These weren’t young and volatile believers, but once committed servants of the gospel. Friend, they died on the table in childbirth. We cannot let this be our story.

Let us repent, arise and gain the wisdom and strength to give the final few pushes!