God Wants Mashed Potatoes

God Wants Mashed Potatoes 

"...that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another."(1 Corinthians 12:25)
  I remember a Christian writer describing the unity that the church is to have, to that of mashed potatoes. There is independence and individuality, but there is not complete unity. Even though the potatoes are together, pealed, and cut up, ready to be cooked, they are not blended together. Each potato can say, look at me, I am still a potato. But when they are mashed together, the independence and individuality is gone. They are one pan of mashed potatoes, blended together, to contribute to the necessary meal. 

  The Apostle Paul says in our text, that there is to be no "schism" in the body." This word comes from the Greek word:"schizo" which means to "rent" or to "sever" to cause division. As Christians in the body of Christ, we are placed together to function as one, to provide health and productivity to the body of Christ. 

  There are to be no "Lone Rangers" in the Christian community. Whatever your personality, your age, your talent, your resources, you have an important place, and responsibility in the Body of Christ. There is to be no competition, but a constant care for one another. In this network of care, where love flows like blood through the body, the body is able to be a strong witness for Jesus Christ. 

  The body is able to make a bold statement to the world, that all you need is here in Jesus Christ. We are His voice, we are His heart, and we are His arms, to embrace you, and to help keep you, until Jesus comes to take us all home. GP

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"One Another"

 "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." (John 13:14) 

The definition of the word "mutual" is as follows: "(of a feeling or action) experienced or done by each of two or more parties toward the other or others. A partnership based on mutual respect and understanding." "Held in common by two or more parties." 

It is refreshing to see people having a mutual love and concern for one another. In this day and age, it is a rare thing to see. Whether it be in the home, or business, or in social activities, it is rare to see people putting the welfare of others before themselves. 

Jesus set the example for His disciples (and us) when He saw the need to wash the dirty feet of His disciples. No one in this circle was going to lower themselves to the level of a servant. The disciples did not even consider doing this for one another, so Jesus grabs a towel and a basin of water, and shocks the disciples by His action. Peter vocalized his protest by saying to Jesus: "You shall never wash my feet."(v.8) 

In essence Peter was saying: "Lord, a teacher is not to take the position of a servant!" But Jesus responses to Peter, "If you you will not submit to me in this, than you will have no part of Me."(v.8) You will have no part in my humility and concern for others, which marks the kingdom of God. 

There are various reasons why we don't show mutual love and concern for others. People (including myself) find this a very difficult thing to do. The biggest stigma in this, is the love and respect for self. 

We are very guarded when it comes to self. When others hurt us, do you think we want to wash their dirty feet? Do you think we want to stoop down and show the love of Christ, when we have been hurt time and time again. We feed our spirit of pride, arrogance, and self preservation. But here is the charge from our Lord: "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." (v.15) 

No matter how we feel about others, we have a responsibility to do, as our Lord, and Master Jesus Christ, instructs us to do! But to our surprise, this approach may produce better results in our relationships, than our arrogant, stand-offish, prideful, self-centered, approach! 

Why don't we give this "mind of Christ" a chance? Let's focus on looking out for "One another", and see what happens! GP

Photo: Laura Merchant - Creationswap.com 

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All For One, And One For All

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:1-4)

“All for one and one for all” is best known as the motto of the title characters in the book The Three Musketeers, by the nineteenth-century French author Alexandre Dumas." (Dictionary.com)

 A lesson that we need to learn in the church is really summed up in this little motto: The whole church is to be supporting each individual member. It is such a comfort, during a time of trial, to know you have a whole church family praying for you, and supporting you during a time of crisis.

And it is a great to have the privileged to contribute to the purpose and welfare of the body of Christ. We may offer a small part in our contribution of time, talent, money, etc. But it is very much needed, to maintain the work of the church.

As the Apostle Paul says in our text, there is no place for selfish ambition or conceit. We are not to just look after our own interests, but the interests (or needs) of others, and do our part, to be a blessing, to the church as a whole. When this happens, this is when the church really shines for Jesus! GP

Pulling Together

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ... (Philippians 2:1-5) 

I have heard of the word "Synergy". I didn't know what it meant, so I researched and found that *"Synergy" is defined as this: “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.” In other words, you can do more with less. A laminated beam is an example of synergy. If 10 boards had a breaking point of 10 pounds each; when you laminated them together, the breaking point of the 10 boards together far surpasses 100 pounds (the sum of the parts).

We can accomplish more than we realize in the church, when we combine the sum of our love and abilities. What one horse can do pulling a load, two or more can do it more effectively and efficiently.

Enough of the power struggles in the church. It's time to pull together to effectively pursue the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) Matthew Henry said "the the more lowly minded we are, the more like minded we will become."

It will take all of us working together to accomplish the greatest work of the ages. Reconciling the world to our Savior Jesus Christ. Let's get together, and do it! GP

 *Trubyachievements.com

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How To Bring Our Nation Together

"He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach." (Mark 3:14)

 *"Jesus' twelve disciples had very different personalities. Peter was impulsive, passionate but innately conservative. James and John, called by Jesus, 'The Sons of Thunder,' were boisterous, fervent but thoughtful. Thomas had a gloomy, pessimistic, intense disposition. Matthew was probably gregarious and methodical; Philip rather hesitant and lacking confidence; Andrew positive and enterprising. ...(as far as political views) "Simon the Zealot was in all probability an extreme nationalist who supported almost any action taken to discomfit the Romans. Today he would be called a freedom fighter - or terrorist. Matthew, on the other hand, was a pragmatist - happy to co-operate with the Romans in the matter of collecting taxes. He may even have argued that it was right for the Jews to pay for the benefits the Romans brought - good roads and law and order." (*jrtalks.com/Luke/luke6v12to16.html)

 They were a group of men who were not united at first. But after spending three years with Jesus, and following His ascension, they came together, and turned the world upside down for Him.

The challenge has been given to our newly elected President to bring this nation together. I cannot see any other way, than to bring us together in Jesus Christ. This is the route to unity, and solid stability. But it will take the cooperation of the the citizens of this great nation, to help Him to accomplish this.

Will we strive to be as our pledge tells us to be..."One Nation, Under God?" GP

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The Path To Unity

One of Aesop's fables is the story of a wise father who noticing disharmony among his sons, called them together to discuss
strife. He told each one of his sons to bring a twig to the meeting. As the young men assembled, the father took each boy's twig and easily snapped it in half. Then he gathered the four twigs, tied them together in a bundle, and asked each son to try to break the bundle. Each one tried, but to no avail. The bundle would not snap. After each son tried valiantly to break the bundle, the father asked his boys what they learned from this exercise? The oldest son spoke up and said "If we are individuals, anyone can break us, but if we stick together, no one can harm us!" The father said, "You are right!""You must always stand together and be strong!"

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi showed them the path to unity. In Philippians 2: 1-4 Paul writes: "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." 

In verse 2 we find a path to a solid unity.
1. BE OF THE SAME MIND (Philippians 2:2a) (The mind of Christ)
2. HAVE THE SAME LOVE (Philippians 2:2b) (A selfless & unconditional love)
3. BE OF ONE ACCORD (Philippians 2:2c) (Although there is diversity, there must be harmony) Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone. Chosen of the Lord and precious, Binding all the church in one. GP

 Photo ID 4073646 © Joseph Helfenberger | Dreamstime.com

Connections

"From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:16) 

One of the instructions that is given, when a computer is not working correctly, is for one to check the connections. Not only is good connections important in the world of technology, but it is important in the community of Christianity.

First and foremost we are to connect to our heavenly Father, through His Son Jesus. Allowing His Son to be Savior & Lord of our lives. From this connection, we connect to one another, in the body of Christ. What we receive from Christ, is to flow from each of us, to all of us in God's wonderful family.

One of the worst things that can happen in a relationship, or in a family, is to have a disconnection. When one decides (because there are problems) to stop all communication with that certain someone, or certain someones.

I know that there will be those who will disagree with me on this. But I truly believe that if we (together) will take our problems, to our heavenly Father, and keep praying (together), we will work through those problems, and maintain the unity the Lord wants us to have. (John 17)

I believe we disconnect too quickly, because of selfish reasons. The key is keeping our connection with the Lord, strong and constant. In so doing, we will have the resources, to keep our relationships strong and constant as well! GP

 Photo by Stuart Miles. Published on 05 December 2012 Stock photo - Image ID: 100124474 www.freedigitalphotos.net

The Unity Of The Spirit

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." 
(Ephesians 4:4-7)

"These "seven ones" constitute "the unity of the Spirit" that as Christians we must be so diligent to keep "in the bond of peace". Not one of these is "non-essential"! E.g., just as crucial as maintaining who the "One Lord" is, so we must be steadfast in holding to the "One Baptism"! (Mark Copeland - Ephesians 4:1-16 executableoutlines.com)

 As a pastor of the Christian churches/Churches of Christ/Restoration Movement for 40 years, I have held on to our interpretation of these "seven ones" that constitute "the unity of the Spirit".

 I have served in communities where other faith groups have held to different interpretations of this doctrine, mentioned in our text.
It is through the love of Christ that unity is achieved.

Like a fisherman that holds on to his fishing rod, he/she should welcome the fellowship of other fishermen, who have different fishing rods, but are striving to accomplish the same goal in Christian evangelism, and that is to be "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19) 

We should never compromise what we believe, but we should always have compassion towards those who have different views, and especially those who are practicing their ideas outside the walls of the Word of God. Our goal is to reach them in love, for the Lord, and to bring them to unity with Him, and with us. GP

 Photo by Stuart Miles. Published on 09 October 2013 Stock photo - Image ID: 100206957