tians did in the time of the apostle Paul, Finally, it is relationally build-
our country embraces each religion that ing to receive the values of the
comes along as an equal with the one Value Giver from others. John
true faith based upon God’s Word. Donne’s observation that “no man is
The COEXIST bumper sticker tells an island” sometimes takes a hit in
the story. Every letter of the word has a our daily walk with God and others.
symbol that represents a religion or phi- We can get so intent upon knowing
losophy: c, the crescent and star for Islam; the Value Giver, His values, and giv-
o, the pentagram for Wicca; e, equality ing them away that we tend to do it in
of the sexes; x, the star of David for Juda- isolation. Even though giving is more
ism; the Karma Wheel dotting the i for blessed than receiving, it is all too easy
Buddhism; s, the Tao symbol for Taoism; to give so much that we do not receive.
t, the cross for Christianity. The cross of Then, without our even knowing unless
Christ, uniquely the focal point of human someone tells us, we become dry and
history, is simply relegated to an equal brittle, undernourished in our spirits. We
position among other religious symbols. become out of balance, a little too know-
God’s directive in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ing, and perhaps offensive.
to teach His commands to our children Not much speaks more highly of our
can only be restored when we ourselves love for others than letting them give us
know Him and His Word and are inspired some fruit of their walk with the Value
to obey Him. We can get away from the Giver. By receiving from their experience
TV, the CDs, and the MP3s to return to of who Christ is, we share fellowship with
our first love. There, we are equipped to Him and them. The dryness goes away.
restore Him to our families. Nourishment occurs. We are not isolated
Second, it is necessary to live in trying to know God in solitary confine-
the values of the Value Giver. We ment. A balance of giving and receiving is
cannot be energized by the Holy Spirit restored as we let others’ walk with Him
to live God’s Word unless we are in it in influence our own.
Social sites are fun and have their personal, corporate, and family study and Catherine brought me the name
place. So do iPods and text messaging. worship. Likewise, in order to outdistance and number of a man she thought
Yet the most beneficial relationships dead faith without works, we need to could help me in my work. I resisted
derive from in-person cultivation. How place what we learn of God into the real- at first, but then relented and called
willing are we to rise above the culture ity of our lives. This gives credible, caring him. She was right! He and I met.
to form real relationships with those we vitality to our education. Asking our fam- What he offered may be just what I
love? To do so is living out the growth ily members how we can pray for them need. God helped me embrace what
of relational holiness and becoming in our daily quiet time is a good start. He had prompted her to give me. I feel
more like God, who says, “Just as he who Offering them praise when we see them refreshed, closer to Him and my daugh-
called you is holy, so be holy in all you doing a good thing encourages. Showing ter because I received from her.
do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I patience and gentleness when they make All persons show up for something.
am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV). mistakes offers comfort. Accepting their Now, let us show up to be those who
How do we restore God’s relational friends shows we love them and their restore.
values and practices to our families? friends as well. Saying “I’m sorry” when
First, it is imperative to know we have failed them and doing our best Greg Schillo, M.Div., is a
the Value Giver. A saving and grow- to change indicates they are important. husband, father, ordained
ing relationship with God through Jesus Anticipating their needs and moving to minister, ministry elder at
Christ is now more important than ever. meet them before they even ask are signs Mount Paran North Church
We can no longer assume a biblically of their value to us. of God, and an author whose
based Christian faith and culture as the Faith is more caught than taught as we first book, The Dad Who Is There: Being a
de facto standard in our land. As the Gala- display His values to those we love most. Plus-Side Father, will be released this year.
EVANGEL • MAR 2010 23
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