Posts Tagged: the Apostle Peter

“How to Handle a Disappointment”

On April 13, 2021 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

I just found out that I am not going to be presenting a paper at a scholarly conference I am attending virtually. I don’t know exactly what went wrong, but it appears as if something did. The study group of which I was part isn’t even on the program.

Hurt? Yes. Angry? Yes, that too. However, I am proud of the way I’m handling this—at least, so far.

First, I am trying to find out where things went wrong. I am sending some frank (but carefully worded) emails.

Second, I am acknowledging my hurt and angry feelings. Nothing good ever comes from denying what I am feeling. Nothing! I’ve tried it a lot of times, and it never works out well.

Third, I am refusing to medicate my hurt with actions or thoughts that would numb them. Unfortunately, with us addicts, that is always a possibility. I’ve already called my sponsor and a couple of twelve-step friends to acknowledge the pain and the temptation to justify unjustifiable approaches to this pain.

Fourth, I am trying hard not to be nasty. One of my favorite mantras these days is “Don’t be a jerk!” I’ve invested more than enough time and energy in being a jerk over the years.

Fifth, I am remembering what I heard from the Apostle Peter and from the Apostle Andy Stanley (independently, I would add!) just this morning. Humility under God and with people is the key to all happy relationships. Peter says that we are to clothe ourselves with humility. Andy says that we should frequently ask the question, “What would a humble person do in this situation?” Then, we are to do it.

Sixth, I am remembering why I do scholarship in the first place. There are actually several reasons.

  • I do scholarship to glorify God.
  • I do scholarship because it helps me.
  • I do scholarship for the benefit of others.

This paper dealt with a particularly violent event—or series of events—in the Old Testament: the coup of Jehu as recorded in 2 Kings 9-10, which is referenced in a few other places. The violence in the Old Testament is something that keeps some people from even reading the Bible, much less believing in it or in God. Even believers are troubled by it. At least, we should be. I certainly am troubled by this violence.

My paper may not ever be presented, but the study and discipline that went into it were not wasted. My study has helped me to come somewhat to terms with the violence in the Bible. More importantly, it has helped me to come to terms with the violence in me.

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“Get Up and Get On with Your Life”

On June 24, 2020 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

“Peter heals in the name of Jesus and commands the man he healed to get up and get on with his life. It is Jesus who heals us. Through his grace we, like Peter, are able to bring the comfort and healing power of Jesus to others. We are at one and the same time both the one healed and the one who brings about healing.” (“3-Minute Retreat,” from Loyola Publishing, June 24, 2020)

I was paralyzed from the waist down for a few months when I was in the fifth grade. A bad fall on the ice led (apparently) to a badly pinched nerve. Thanks to a chiropractor, time, and God, I was able to walk and run again. It was scary.

Today’s “3-Minute Retreat” devotional was based on the story (in Acts 9) about man who had been paralyzed for eight years.

“Peter went off on a mission to visit all the churches. In the course of his travels he arrived in Lydda and met with the believers there. He came across a man—his name was Aeneas—who had been in bed eight years paralyzed. Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” And he did it—jumped right out of bed. Everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him walking around and woke up to the fact that God was alive and active among them.”  (Acts 9:32-35, The Message)

I liked the way today’s retreat master for Loyola put it: “Peter heals in the name of Jesus and commands the man he healed to get up and get on with his life.”

Some of us are paralyzed, but not in our body. No, it is much more serious than that. We are paralyzed by fear, by lust, by greed, by any number of paralyzing agents in our life.

And then, along comes Jesus and says, perhaps through another person like Peter, sometimes very directly, “Get up and get on with your life!” Perhaps Jesus says this to us, even to get us out of bed in the morning.

And so, in the name of Jesus, I say unto thee, “Get up and get on with your life!”

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