Presence Weekly 7/15/2024

² I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.Php 4:2–9.

Last week, before the former President was shot, we were discussing gospel-centered conflict resolution. Now, two people are dead, two more are injured, and multiple families are dealing with trauma and loss. Our nation is facing a problem with conflict: how do we engage with each other when we disagree? Last week, we discussed pursuing gospel-reconciled lives when there is conflict. Now, it is imperative to discuss how to maintain reconciliation because it is a key element of relational discipleship.

Thankfully, Paul has a list of Spirit-guided suggestions. 

A Joyful Presence

Much depends on our disposition. Lately, it seems like we are an angry nation. We are angry about certain policies. We are angry about the people who support certain policies. We are angry that people do not agree with us. Perhaps that is why Paul includes in his public rebuke of these women the following phrase, “Rejoice in the Lord! And again, I say rejoice!”

Paul implores the congregation, and these women, to find their joy in the fact that they are “in the Lord.” These women should find joy in their reconciliation with the God who created them. More directly, the most life-impacting conflict they had was with their Father, and that has been ended by his Son. And because this is true, we should rejoice! 

 If you don’t think situational disposition makes a difference in how we respond, consider small kids. When kids are little, they can be playing and having a great time, fall, hit their head (and then, as we parents take a deep breath), get up, and keep running and laughing. At other times, when in a sour mood or tired, they can have a Cheerio fall out of their hand and onto the floor and respond with inconsolable wailing.

As Christians, we have access to a joy that never goes away. We should focus on our joy and allow it to shape our perspectives and responses.

A Reasonable Presence

A second component of heading off conflict before it starts is to, “Let your reasonableness (or gentleness) be known to all.”  This word had deep meaning in the first century when it came to how magistrates dealt with infractions. As Christians, we are called to experience transgressions, offenses, and even petty irritations from a position of grace. This doesn’t mean we ignore injustice. But it does mean that we don’t try to “get even and then some” every time there is the slightest violation or transgression. 

For the past few election cycles, and with increasing intensity, both sides have used language to paint their opponents as people who, “Must be stopped,” and who will, “Destroy America!” This kind of language is never helpful, incites violence, and it is a sin for a Christian to engage in this manner of speech. 

An Expectant Presence 

Paul’s third instruction for maintaining peace and avoiding conflict is to be expectant, “The Lord is at hand!” This phrase seems a bit odd and abrupt. It’s not really connected grammatically to the idea before or ahead, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an integral part of Paul’s thought. Whether Paul intends to say, “Consider the Lord as being in your midst now,” or more likely, “The Lord may return at any time,” the impact is the same. 

He emphasizes a posture of living each day with the understanding that the Lord is either in our midst now or could return in this moment. We get so caught up in our lives and even our theology that we forget that Christ actually is returning. How does this impact relationships and conflict? Suddenly, not getting our way in a policy meeting, a vote, or a promotion is moderated with the knowledge of Christ’s presence or impending return. 

A Confident Presence 

“Do not be anxious about anything!” says the Apostle. That seems trite when you consider that the Philippians had a lot to be anxious about. How would the Romans react to them declaring “Jesus, not Caesar, is Lord!” Would their civic and family lives change because of their new faith? Would they be disowned? Would their shops no longer be frequented? 

Paul does not ask that we act like we don’t have troubles. He asks that we not let our troubles consume us. When we are anxious, we are ripe for conflict. Consider the impact of your anxiety and worry on your attitude towards others, and how your predisposition inclines you to look for offense and intensifies your response. Instead of anxiety, Christians are called to embrace gospel-confident living—not in our circumstances or accomplishments, but in our position in Christ.

A Prayerful Presence

How can we move from anxiety to confidence? “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” As I have long said, “Prayer is always the most you can do. However, it is rarely all you should do” Paul moves, once again, into the imperative voice in his writing, “TAKE YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD!” What does Paul include in this direction? Everything. Your job situation – Pray! Your family situation – Pray! Your absolute confusion on how to deal with someone – Pray! Your concern for our country - Pray!

A Positive Presence 

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

In other words, don’t ignore the faults, but focus on the good. Our minds are talking to us all the time. If we are not careful, we can let our minds run us headlong into conflict by concentrating on a person’s or situation’s negative attributes. Paul is encouraging another way. The Philippians are not the only ones who need to hear this. Paul told the Corinthian church embroiled in conflict with one another over just about everything when he said, “Love is patient. Love is kind.” We need to hear it too! We should engage with each other in a way that leads to the question, “What is good that requires encouragement?”

An Imitating Presence 

Paul goes on, “⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things.”In other words, and with a great deal of discernment, be imitators of mature disciples. If you are serving and leading in the public square (or outside of it), this is critical. We all need mentors who can show us best practices and pro-tips, and share their similar situational failures so that we can avoid them. Parents know this. Scientists know this. More seasoned staffers know this. Former Cabinet Secretaries know this. Even former Presidents know this.

A Peaceful Presence

Where does this lead? Paul tells us twice. – v.7 ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Again in verse 9, “Practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” 

We experience the peace of God by resting in the fact that we have peace with God, and by considering how we got it. We can come to enjoy the peace that we have with God because of the gospel. Don’t finish this devotional thinking that just having a positive attitude leads to less conflict (even though it does). This is a reflection on how having a gospel-reconciled life leads to less conflict and experiencing the peace of God. Having peace with God through the gospel brings us the peace of God which passes understanding, and will guard our hearts and minds from the thoughts and feelings that lead to conflict. When we live gospel-reconciled lives, we are planted in the middle of God’s garden of peace. 

This reality and methodology can help maintain relationships and heal conflict—even in the public square, even at political rallies and events.

Questions for Application

Joyfulness: What would reflecting upon our own gospel reconciliation as the source of our joy do for our disposition? How might joy impact the way we interact with our family? Workplace? Policy discussions? 

Reasonableness: Pick an example of a situation or a person that you are in conflict with. What would it look like to be reasonable and gentle in the way you respond to someone upset because they did not get their way? What would it look like to be reasonable and gentle in the way you respond when you do not get your way? Now, consider what that would cost you in both settings. 

Expectancy: If we carried ourselves like the Lord was in our midst (or about to be), how would that impact the way we let incidents and people get under our skin?

Positiveness: Every time you run into a situation with someone that leaves you feeling irritated about them, make a list of their good qualities using verse 8 as your guide. Then, pray and consider that this is how God sees you now that you are in him.

• Monday: Morning: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Corinthians 4:18-5:13 , Psalm 75, 76, 77 // Evening: 2 Samuel 8, Luke 10:25-42, Psalm 75, 76, 77
• Tuesday: Morning: 2 Samuel 9, 1 Corinthians 6, Psalm 79, 80, 81// Evening: 2 Samuel 10, Luke 11:1-28, Psalm 79, 80, 81
• Wednesday: Morning: 2 Samuel 12, 1 Corinthians 7, Psalm 86, 87, 88 // Evening: 2 Samuel 14:25-15:12, Luke 11:29-54, Psalm 86, 87, 88
• Thursday: Morning: 2 Samuel 15:13-37, 1 Corinthians 8, Psalm 90, 91, 92// Evening: 2 Samuel 16, Luke 12:1-34, Psalm 90, 91, 92
• Friday: Morning: 2 Samuel 17:1-23, 1 Corinthians 9, Psalm 95, 96, 97// Evening: 2 Samuel 17:24-18:18, Luke 12:35-53, Psalm 95, 96, 97
• Saturday: Morning: 2 Samuel 18:19-33, 1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1, Psalm 102, 103 // Evening: 2 Samuel 19, Luke 12:54-13:9, Psalm 102, 103
• Sunday: Morning: 1 Samuel 1:1-20, Mark 10:17-31, Psalm 105// Evening: 2 Samuel 12:1-23, Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 105

• Cabinet Agency: The Secret Service (Homeland Security) and FBI (Justice) as they pursue answers in the horrific assassination attempt on former President Trump that came with high human cost. For the front-line agents who responded immediately to protect lives.
• Think Tank, Lobby group, NGO: The National Rifle Association as they navigate press inquiries, policy discussions, and public questions regarding gun safety and access. 
• Weekly delegation: The Congressional delegation of Pennsylvania as their state deals with the aftermath of Saturday’s assassination attempt that left two dead, two wounded, and many others traumatized. 
• News events: For the numerous agencies involved in security discussions following this weekend’s shooting. For Republican staff working at the Republican Convention this week and for Democratic staff preparing for their own convention. For the State Department staff working on decisions made during the NATO Summit last week in Washington. 
• Personal requests: Someone awaiting medical test results. A couple on a honeymoon. someone waiting to find out where they will be posted in foreign service. Someone settling into Washington. A couple that has just found a new church they love in the area.

• The New York Times Editorial Board, having concluded that Biden should step aside, now suggests, “Donald Trump is Unfit to Lead.”
• Back in February, the Center for Faith & Work: St. Louis posted the last of a three-part essay by Dr. Dan. Doriani on “Calling and Work” that is well worth your time. 
• First Things has Carl Trueman’s latest, “Hope Beyond Politics In Europe,” reflecting on the recent elections in England and France and how Christianity influenced those results. 
• The Center for Faith, Work, and Economics recently published a pastorally insightful and widely applicable essay “Big Discoveries from Little Money.”
• The C.S. Lewis Institute has “Hasn’t Science Proven that Belief in God is an Outdated Superstition?”
• The New York Times (yes, two scores this week), has an intriguing article on the rise of young and conservative ordinands in the American Catholic Church.

• The Republican National Convention is this week, in Milwaukee.
• Monday, July 15, 2:30-4:00 pm, the Brookings Institution will convene a panel of experts to discuss ideas and actions to manage digital transformation and the latest advances in artificial intelligence with foresight and purpose to shape a more prosperous and inclusive future: “Putting technology to work for inclusive prosperity: Challenges for public policy.”
• Tuesday, July 16, 5:00–6:30 pm, The Hoover Institution in DC hosts, “Ideas Uncorked: NATO at 75” featuring Rose Gottemoeller, Research Fellow and Fmr. Deputy Secretary General of NATO.
• On Thursday, July 18, 1:00-2:00 pm, The Center for American Progress will host a virtual discussion with state officials and legal experts on policy options to protect consumers from the financial burdens of medical debt: “State Policy Efforts To Avert and Alleviate Medical Debt.”
• Friday, July 19, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (online only), The Trinity Forum will host “Why Do We Want What We Want?: A Conversation with Luke Burgis.”
• Wednesday - Saturday is the Fauquier County Fair. The heat is no match for a rodeo, farm animal and baked goods contests, midway rides, and a beauty competition. 

Is it a history text? Is it a theological text? Is it a philosophical text? Is it a spectacularly crafted narrative that makes you forget it’s non-fiction? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding “Yes!” 

Holland’s most recent opus is a masterpiece of storytelling and forensic history with 542 attention-holding pages. Beyond investigating and telling history, the author excels at painting three-dimensional characters with depth and idiosyncrasies that give them a relatable humanity. Most of all, Holland offers a magisterial depiction of how Christianity grew to its present form through and despite its many virtues and vices. Highly recommended!!