Jesus Satisfies

Prayer for 2012

2012-01-04T10:21:00.002-06:00

The following is a Puritan prayer from the book, 'The Valley of Vision.'

Amazing Grace

O Thou giving God, My heart is drawn out in thankfulness to thee, for thy amazing grace and condescension to me in influences and assistances of thy Spirit, for special help in prayer, for the sweetness of Christian service, for the thoughts of arriving in heaven, for always sending me needful supplies, for raising me to new life when I am like one dead.

I want not the favour of man to lean upon for thy favour is infinitely better. Thou art eternal wisdom in dispensations towards me; and it matters not when, nor where, now how I serve thee, nor what trials I am exercised with, if I might but be prepared for thy work and will.

No poor creature stands in need of divine grace more than I do, and yet none abuses it more than I have done, and still do. How heartless and dull I am! Humble me in the dust for not loving thee more.

Every time I exercise any grace renewedly I am renewedly indebted to thee, the God of all grace, for special assistance. I cannot boast when I think how dependent I am upon thee for the being and every act of grace; I never do anything else but depart from thee, and if ever I get to heaven it will be because thou willest it, and for no reason beside.

I love, as a feeble, afflicted, despised creature, to cast myself on thy infinite grace and goodness, hoping for no happiness but from thee; give me special grace to fit me for special services, and keep me calm and resigned at all times, and conformed to thy will.

(pages 110-111)

Adoption Party Help

2011-12-08T11:01:00.002-06:00

How would you like to be a part of helping connect kids in need of families with families wanting kids? Council Road Baptist Church has been asked to help serve at the February 25, 2012 Adoption Party at Douglas High School.

Parents who have gone through the process of getting approved to adopt through DHS will come to meet kids who are available through DHS for adoption.

This will be a carnival-type atmosphere with karaoke, games, face painting, booths for nail painting, and a variety of other fun things.

We need teams to help on Friday afternoon, the 24th, for set up as well as Saturday after 2 p.m. for clean up.

We also need help serving at the Adoption Party itself.

Would you like to be involved? Contact me for more information.

503-4092 mobile

jhunt@councilroad.org

Psalm 32

2011-12-01T10:30:00.003-06:00

Recently the state of Oklahoma experienced the worst drought in many, many years. River levels were down in many places and some lakes were all but shut down they were so low. Lake Hefner is located in our city – it’s a popular place to go fishing and boating. Our family has been blessed by a man in our church who let’s us take his sailboat out whenever we want to. This year, however, we didn’t get to go even one time because the lake was just too low. I took our 8-year-old son out to see the lake at the height of the drought. Where there had once been water there was nothing but a sand bar. Gage went out exploring and found a dead catfish that somehow had gotten trapped on land as the water receded. I turned to look at him and had to laugh as I saw him holding up this dried out catfish on the end of a stick and with a triumphant declaration of, “Dad, look, I’m the luckiest kid out here today!”

Well, since that time God has sent rain – lots of it. The rivers and lakes are filling back up. Life is getting back to normal – the way God intended for it to be.

When we refuse to repent of our sin we become just as shriveled up as that dead catfish. We dry up like the lake. Our spiritual vitality is parched and we need the refreshing spiritual rain that only God can provide as we in faith repent of our sin and seek to restore fellowship with our Lord.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T06:09:00.001-06:00

If all you held dear was removed; if your future lost its luster fading into the shadows of heartache; if God then said, "I love you." Would you believe Him? Would you still bow with thankful heart and confessing lips, "Jesus is Lord?"

Thanksgiving: A punch into our "normal" to remind us that we are to "in everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Here We Go Again...

2011-11-21T05:57:00.002-06:00

Here we go again...in just a few hours an adoption case worker will be visiting our home. We will drop off Gage at school, put the dogs in the master bathroom, make sure the house looks okay...hopefully all in time for our 9 a.m. appointment with Raleesha. She is going to finalize our reassessment for becoming approved with OKDHS to adopt.

We have taken this journey before - one that had many twists and turns and not just a tear or two. It can be a gut-wrenching process sometimes to walk this path toward adopting - it's even tougher for kids though whose little hearts are made whole or broken by decisions of others:

*"Will someone want me?"
*"Will I have a forever family?"
*"Why do I have to move again?"
*"Who are these people and what are their rules?"

Please pray for us, me, Ali, and Gage, as well as the child God intends to bring into our home. Gage so wants to be a big brother and we want to give our last name to another child...and embrace them with our lives and love. This is orphan-care-evangelism: Bringing an orphan into our little family (providing a temporal home) believing that in doing so God will bring this child into His family (providing an eternal home).

So, hopefully by sometime early 2012 you'll see another precious child with us. Will you pray with us?

Thanks

OK Foster Wishes

2011-11-15T19:28:00.001-06:00

‎8,500 - that's the approximate number of kids in the Oklahoma foster system currently. Would you like to make sure one of them has gifts under the Christmas tree this year?

Our church is partnered with OK Foster Wishes to help make this happen. Each wish list has a child's first name and two personal wishes totaling $50 or under.

To get a child's wish list please contact James Hunt at jhunt@councilroad.org or call 503-4092. Gift collection must be returned on Sunday, December 11 in the foyer of the worship center.

Leave Some for the Desperate

2011-11-10T06:44:00.000-06:00

Is there a portion of your life (income, effort, energy) devoted to the care of those in desperate need? God commanded His Old Covenant people to remember the fatherless, among others.

"When you reap the harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you knock down the fruit from your olive tree, you must not go over the branches again. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you must not glean what is left. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt. Therefore I am commanding you to do this."

So if we were to modernize this passage (and bring it into the New Covenant) it might say something like, "You used to be a spiritual foreigner, a spiritual orphan, a spiritually vulnerable person needing the compassion of your heavenly Father. You received that compassion and are no longer a stranger, an outcast, an orphan. Now then, go bless others and care for them in My name."

What are you doing for the foreigner, the fatherless, the widow?

Orphan Sunday

2011-10-31T16:59:00.002-05:00

This coming Sunday, November 6, is Orphan Sunday.

You know, those orphans...the ones you see on the infomercial appeals for money: "Send money and save a kid's life," so the gray-bearded man pleads...dirty kids in a poor, dirt-landscaped village - snot on the kids' faces - needing a bath. Yeah, those kids.

There's about 145 million of "those kids" worldwide who have at least lost one parent...or both. In reality it doesn't take the loss of both to get to orphan status...just powerlessness to do anything about your situation of need coupled with no one powerful enough to help.

Maybe you haven't thought about defining "Orphan" in those terms but maybe you should consider doing so.

Here's another option for the definition of "Orphan": 450 Thousand - that's the approximate number of kids in the foster system in the USA. Or, how about 8,500 - that's pretty close to spot-on the number of kids in the Oklahoma DHS foster system. Orphans! Every single one of them...if we are going to allow for a definition of orphan to include a child who doesn't have mom or dad providing care for them.

How about one more number...one more wrinkle to add to the concept of "Orphan": 2,400 - this is the approximate number of kids immediately available for adoption in Oklahoma.

Is there one kid - one orphan you could impact in Jesus' name? I heard it said recently that churches don't get a pass if they give an orphan a backpack. The church should provide a child a family...then the backpack. I can guarantee you that is what the child really needs and wants.

So...on this Orphan Sunday, will you pray for others who are involved in Orphan Care ministry around the globe...for those in our church who are providing foster care, adopting orphans, and supporting the cause of orphans? Oh, and will you ask God if there is a greater role He wants you to have in Orphan Care ministry?

I hope you'll consider coming to the class starting on January 15, 2012 called: Orphanology. We will dig deeply into Scripture to see God's heart for the Orphan as well as our own adoption in Christ. We'll get our heads & hearts together to prayerfully discover what are the next steps God wants us to take as a church.

James 1:27, Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

Retirement

2011-02-25T11:38:00.000-06:00

So did you hear the story about the guy who worked his butt off his whole life in view of a fat and sassy retirement? Well, he reached his goal. He'd been successfully feeding into his 401K for 30 years, had a pension coming upon retirement - life was GOOD! He was dreaming about the retirement party the next day...and the upcoming deep sea fishing trip with his buddies that started the following Monday. Wow! Finally, he thought! Here's what I've been waiting for.

That night he died.

Jesus called him a "fool." You can actually read his story (in the 1st century context) in Luke 12:15-21.

Lot's of us dream of happier days for the future. We long for more money and greater ease. We'd settle for peace and security...know what I mean?!

Jesus teaches us that there is another way. Peter picks up on this truth in the second letter that bears his name in 1:2-4. He teaches that through knowing Jesus we can have abundance of what really matters: GRACE & PEACE. He goes on to show that through knowing Jesus we have everything we need for life and for pleasing God. What's more? We have the truth of God's promises, that, if we believe and live in them we will have a changed perspective.

Gospel Filtered through Life

2011-02-08T06:26:00.001-06:00

I am a sinner; no, I am a SINNER! You may have seen me sin: some careless word, unkind action, expression of pride. That is nothing! It is only the tip of the iceberg. Were you to probe you would be disgusted by the depth of the mountain of my corruption and sin. Were you to ask those from my childhood you would hear tales to make your ears tingle. I mean, what do you need to know? I'll tell you! I am a SINNER!

GOSPEL: Jesus died - and I in union with Him died. My mountain of sin is gone - demolished by the soldiers hammer and nail - by the grace of a Father taking pleasure in the crushing of His Son on my behalf.

GOSPEL: Jesus rose - and I in union with Him live. My past is buried and gone - my future hopeful and sure. I am alive - truly alive - the guilty now pardoned; the hateful and hated now loved and redeemed. Ha! I am set free.

Where is my mountain? Oh, it is yonder hill on which Christ was crucified - it is coming Zion where King Jesus will reign as worshipped Lord and Savior, Master of my soul, Master of every soul.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Advent Poem - Mary's Song

2010-12-01T22:19:00.001-06:00

Mary's Song
by Luci Shaw

Blue homespun and the bend of my breast
keep warm this small hot naked star
fallen to my arms. (Rest …
you who have had so far to come.)
Now nearness satisfies
the body of God sweetly. Quiet he lies
whose vigor hurled a universe. He sleeps
whose eyelids have not closed before.
His breath (so slight it seems
no breath at all) once ruffled the dark deeps
to sprout a world. Charmed by doves' voices,
the whisper of straw, he dreams,
hearing no music from his other spheres.
Breath, mouth, ears, eyes
he is curtailed who overflowed all skies,
all years. Older than eternity, now he
is new. Now native to earth as I am, nailed
to my poor planet, caught
that I might be free, blind in my womb
to know my darkness ended,
brought to this birth for me to be new-born,
and for him to see me mended
I must see him torn.

3 Reasons for Giving Thanks

2010-12-01T15:00:00.003-06:00

Three motivations for thanksgiving:

1. Creation – God didn’t have to make you in the first place! Psalm 95:1-7; Psalm 100

“Because man in his pride fails to honor and glorify God as Creator, he also fails to give thanks to Him for His gracious provision. His unbelief is made still worse by his ingratitude. Although God is the source of every good thing that men possess – giving rain, sun, and other natural blessings to the just and the unjust alike (see Matt.5:45; Acts 14:15-17) – the natural man fails to thank Him because he fails to even acknowledge His existence.” MacArthur Commentary on Romans 1-8

2. Salvation – God didn’t have to save you, ya’ know?!

· Temporal "salvations": God “saves” us / rescues us from many things in this life – things like consequences being as bad as they could have been, things like personal disasters or accidents, even the threats of danger and death. These are “salvations” / rescues in our temporal lives that we should give thanks for now and certainly will give thanks for eternally. Check out Psalm 30.

· Eternal Salvation: God saves us eternally. If ever there is a need for a motivation to give thanks to God – simply go back to the cross and humble yourself in his presence. Remember his eternal rescue of you – a sinner, guilty, condemned – now rescued and forever made an heir, a child of the King. Look at the blessings of salvation described in Ephesians 1:3-14.

3. Restoration – God is going to make everything new – you’re not stuck in misery forever! Revelation 11:15-17; Revelation 21:1-5.

Pondering and Praying

2010-08-26T13:38:00.002-05:00

Periodically I go to my dad's grave to ponder and pray. Yesterday was one of those occasions. It occured to me that my ponderings were not so much the grief of loss as much as the sadness of what never became.

Perhaps one day what I'd dreamed of while he lived will happen in God's re-creation. Maybe dad and I will walk side by side and laugh, dream, and just be father and son in harmony. That will be nice if it occurs.

I found myself speaking to my Heavenly Father yesterday - aware that my prayers, springing forth from recollections of my dad's failures, were being offered as hopes that I would not be as he was.

My prayer is that God will make me the kind of husband, dad, friend, and man of God that when my son stands pondering and praying over my grave someday that his prayers will be that he could be like me...cause I was like Jesus.

We'll see.

Movin' Up When You're Feelin' Down

2010-08-09T15:28:00.003-05:00

The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk was confused. Why in the world would God raise up a pagan nation that was extremely wicked to judge God's covenant people who weren't quite as sinful?

God answered the prophet by telling him that the Babylonians would get what's coming to them; however, for the time being he was going to use this pagan nation to bring judgment to the people of God because of their sin.

The disasters that he anticipated for his own people were too much for the prophet to handle. He was overcome with grief and horror.

He needed help - divine help. Of God, the prophet wrote, "The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on to the heights."

The only thing the prophet knew that would sustain him and bring him out of discouraging depression was the Sovereign LORD Himself. He would have to bring his perspective up from despair.

Recently, I have been struck by the suffering of others. A parent loses their child, a friend contemplates suicide, a single parent struggles with custody issues with a deadbeat ex. All of these situations could overwhelm - could destroy faith - could hinder hope.

Except for one thing: Jesus! Jesus ran to suffering - the innocent embracing the guilty's pain. The One from whom all life exists received death's cold kiss. He did this for me. He did this for all that the Father has given to Him.

Do you find yourself in His embrace? When you bring your cry to the Father does He see you in the Son who understands your pain with great sympathy?

Praise God for Jesus - the One who enables us to "go on to the heights" even when we are being pulled down to sorrow's depths.

An Animal Dies

2010-07-22T17:38:00.000-05:00

I would feel really bad if because of my wrongdoing a cute little lamb had to have his throat cut instead of mine.

I know, I know...even the reading of the above sentence is repulsive to most folks - including me! However, if we lived in Old Testament times this is the picture we would see time after time after time. An animal being killed so that I can live...God accepting me because of the death of a lamb.

Enter on the stage of humanity: Jesus! He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. When our mind's eye casts a gaze to that bloody, vile scene on Calvary's hill we see a figure of humanity that is grotesque, vile, repulsive! Then we hear in his voice the tender plea to his Father, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."

We discover that this horrid scene is on display as a reminder of God's infinite love for his people. Instead of annihilating us because of our sin, the Father destroyed Christ on the cross. Jesus took our guilt, our shame, our punishment, our horror. In this way we know we are loved.

I Peter 1:17-21 uses the great love of God as shown through the sacrifice of the Lamb Jesus as a motivation to live a holy life unto God. Because we are loved by such a great sacrifice we can live holy and joyful lives of obedience.

Come out this Sunday to the Single Focus class at 9:15 a.m. in the Chapel for our discussion of this topic. Bagels and Bible study...can't beat it!

Through My Son's Eyes

2010-07-19T10:00:00.002-05:00

Recently our family had the privilege of going on an archaeological dig in southern Jordan. I had been to Jordan before in 2006 with Ali - but this time our son was with us. It was refreshing to see things through his eyes as he experienced things for the first time. We got to go through Petra, camped out on the side of a mountain in a tent for 2 weeks with the vision of Crusader Castle (Showbak Castle) looming on the mountianside just beyond ours.

Gage experienced some very wonderful things. It was good to have him with us and to see things through his eyes. The other day we sat on a boulder overlooking multiple mountain ranges as we talked about what he could see. About 12 camels were grazing behind us and the valley sprawled out beneath us. Bedouin shepherds were playing soccer with some of the younger in our group just up on the plateau. One night Gage enjoyed his first traditional Bedouin meal called a mansaf. We were in a Bedouin open air tent with goats in the foreground just outside as we sat in a circle around a big platter of rice and chicken cooked Bedouin style and eaten with our fingers.

Gage made friends with Bedouin children as well as some older men such as Abu Ali and Abu Saif.

I praise God for the experiences and the memories.

Afterthoughts Regarding the SBC

2010-06-20T14:21:00.003-05:00

I had the privilege of attending the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando this past week. This was my first SBC...though I've been a member of SBC churches since the early 90's.

I went into the experience with good anticipation regarding the Great Commission Task Force report. I thought I'd vote for it. Alas, I did not.

What struck me was that the report, while offering many things I can celebrate...didn't start at the place of transparency it should have.

I think second to the fact that we need revival and the empowering of the Holy Spirit resulting in obedience to the Great Commission and Great Commandment is the need to address WHERE cooperative dollars are distributed.

It's at the point of distribution where I find my biggest challenge.We heard a lot of talk about how we were going to scale back the number of IMB missionaries...yet, we spent millions on getting together to talk about convention stuff (read: the cost of having a convention as we do it would fund a lot of missionaries!!!). Currently, cooperative dollars by the hundreds of thousands are spent five times a year on IMB trustee board meetings alone!

My question: Can we not streamline and do things a different way that will still keep the convention strong yet free up funds to be reallocated for things more noble than the two illustrations of superfluous spending mentioned above?

A Place Christ Heals

2010-05-20T10:30:00.003-05:00

When someone unjustly treats you like as if you have no value...what is your knee-jerk tendency? If you're at all like me you may be tempted to lash back in pain and self-defense. After all, your honor and well-being are at stake. "How dare that person say/do/be that toward me?"

The Gospel gives us another way to respond. Jesus gives us healing in the wounded places of our souls - the place from which springs forth the ugly reactions we tend to give to those who hurt us.

Because Christ took our sufferings upon himself and has given us new life in himself, we are free to bless those who hurt us - to pray for them with a joyful heart motivated by God's healing grace in our own lives.

1 Peter 2:20-24 (NIV)
But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Jesus

2010-05-06T13:57:00.007-05:00

Deity in man - can it be?

See him born in poverty?

God en-fleshed with inquiry,

Answers as wisdom for all to see.

Humbled, crushed, and scorned to be,

The full suffering for you and me...

Could this be...Deity?

Jesus enthroned in heaven above,

Having displayed his Father's love,

Exalted sits, prays, and keeps,

Careful watch o'er all his sheep.

You, Dear Soul, unworthy yet graced,

Walk in joy and be embraced,

Longing now to see his face,

Soon his glory your soul will taste.

Avoid the Poor?

2010-04-08T15:40:00.003-05:00

NIV Luke 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Guilty: Yes, I am one of those who has not fulfilled Christ's command in this passage. I typically like to hang out with those that make me feel at ease. Do you know what I mean? There are just some folks who for whatever reason aren't the easiest for me to be around. Oh yeah, I might minister to them as a pastor...but hang with them as dinner guests...as friends? Nope. Not me.

Kind of working through this issue. Feeling convicted. I wonder where this is going to take me? Maybe nowhere? Maybe I'll simply settle down into the same old patterns of life. We'll see.

I'm glad that Jesus for my sake became poor that I might become rich in him. I just wish I could learn how to fulfill the royal law of love without favoritism.

NIV James 2:1-9 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Twisting Scripture through Mis-Application

2010-03-27T07:44:00.004-05:00

I was struck this morning by the beautiful, comforting truths found in Psalm 91. This poem contains some thoughts that have brought me great encouragement over the years - thoughts such as, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (v.1).

Verses 11-12, however, reminded me of how important it is to not mis-apply Scripture. Satan actually does a great job of quoting these two verses to Jesus. Matthew records this incident in the temptation of Jesus narrative. Satan takes Jesus up to a high point in the Temple and tells him to jump off. After all, "it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone'" (Matt.4:6).

Jesus replies, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test'" (Matt.4:7).

The point? APPLICATION MATTERS!

Satan doesn't just distort the meaning of Scripture...he doesn't just deny the truthfulness of Scripture...he also tempts us to think and thus act on the basis of improper application of Scripture.

One test to know if we are mis-applying Scripture is by simply evaluating whether or not our application of any given text results in challenging God in any way. Is this not what Jesus gave as a response to squelch Satan's temptation? Do not test the Lord...

Perhaps we should be careful in our proof-texting. Here's what I mean. Most people who've been around church for awhile have become familiar with certain, popular passages of Scripture. The problem is that it's easy to hear a verse and then rip it out of it's literary, theological, and plain sense context and make it fit in our own personal situations. While personal application is important...the application we unfortunately end up with sometimes is simply making the text of Scripture communicate something it was never intended to communicate.

Let me give you some popular examples. Philippians 4:13 is used by many to remind themselves that they can do anything through Christ who strengthens them. So, with that mantra in hand they encourage themselves. While it is true that God does strengthen his people...it is also true that something else is in view in this verse. Truth is, this passage (contextually) is addressing the fact that Paul had learned to joyfully handle times of plenty as well as the lean times and all for the sake of the Gospel. This is set in the backdrop of the larger immediate issue of addressing the financial gift the Philippians gave to the apostle. He is saying that he has learned to joyfully endure anything for the sake of the Gospel.

A proper application of this passage? Perhaps we should personalize it by asking God to help us learn to competely orient our lives around his purposes of Gospel advancement - that he would help us discover that the things of this life are empty if simply used for self...but enriched when used for his Kingdom purposes.

One more illustration of mis-application. Have you ever heard someone say when facing a troublesome situation, "Well, the Bible says that he won't give us more than we can handle"?

This is an allusion to a beautiful truth regarding God's rescue during times of our personal temptation. The passage is 1 Corinthians 10:13 where the Holy Spirit tells us that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear...but will provide a way out.

The promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13 is that God will give us the way, in each occasion, to experience victory over temptation...not some guarantee that God is not going to send us (or allow) some situation to come into our lives that is way over the top. Are there not plenty of examples in Scripture of people who were given circumstances that were way to heavy to bear? Certainly! Do not overwhelming circumstances kill personal pride and drive us to recognize our desperate need for God?

Why is it important to understand and properly apply this passage? Well, for one, it will keep a person back from testing God through personal anger when God blows past your expectations and allows devestation into your life.

Does not God cause / allow some overwhelming circumstances to come our way in order to purify us and chip off the ungodly edges all in the process of conforming us into greater Christlikeness? Does he not use all good and all difficult things as means toward this end?

I could go on illustrating my point with other popular mis-applications of Scripture such as 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Jeremiah 29:11...but I hope the point has been well made. It's important to rightly understand and apply God's Word.

Don't Pray!

2010-03-10T07:12:00.003-06:00

Perhaps one of the most used verses regarding prayer is Jeremiah 33:3.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

I have heard this verse highlighted time and again as an encouragement to pray to God and that he would answer in marvelous ways.

What I have never, ever heard is this verse preached in context. Here's what I mean:

Jeremiah 33:3 is not the first verse in this prophecy that mentions prayer. Earlier in 11:14, God actually tells Jeremiah to NOT pray for the people of the covenant who were about to be destroyed. A little later God reiterates this sentiment when he says (15:1-2) that even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before him on behalf of the people he would not change his mind regarding the impending judgment.

Wow! So, here is this wonderful verse encouraging Jeremiah to pray (33:3) set in the backdrop of earlier command NOT to pray. What's new? Why is God encouraging prayer now?

The difference is found in what Jeremiah was praying for earlier (God to not bring judgment) versus what God is directing him to pray for now (restoration and renewal).

Earlier God was declaring that the Babylonians were most definitely going to overthrow Jerusalem and utterly destroy the city, the culture, and cause many to die and others to go into exile. The way God describes what he's going to do horrifies Jeremiah. Thus, he prays for God's change of mind. God says, in essence, "NO! Their doom is sure!"

The greatest thing about Jeremiah 33:3 is discovered as you read through the rest of the chapter. God is promising a renewal for his covenant people by means of raising up a "righteous Branch" that will come from David's kingly line and rule on the davidic throne forever (33:15-16). Furthermore, God promises that there will always be a priest ministering before him...and that there will many, many priests, in fact (33:18-22).

The point? God encouraged Jeremiah to pray because his prayer of restoration and the fulfillment of that restoration is found in the Gospel! The "great and unsearchable things you do not know" that God was promising are as follows:

Jesus - the greatest King of all - the greatest and the eternal son of David
Jesus - the great Priest whose ministry continues before the throne of his Father
Us - who are in Jesus who have become a kingdom of priests before God

May God build his Kingdom. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Convoluted Priorities

2010-03-09T11:34:00.001-06:00

Convoluted Priorities

Click the link above for an excellent article from Jerry Rankin of the IMB (International Mission Board).

Creation in Six Literal 24-hour days?

2010-02-23T12:07:00.000-06:00

Eternal Perspectives (Randy Alcorn's blog): Do you believe God created the earth in six literal 24-hour days?

Excellent article and discussion regarding the biblical account of Creation and modern compromise theories.

Alien Righteousness

2010-02-22T07:18:00.002-06:00

So, are Jews any closer to God than Gentiles because of their possession of the Law of God? Nope!

Not any fault of the Law - rather, blame lies in the innate innability to keep the Law of God.

So, are Gentiles closer to God because of ignorance of God's Law (thus, not as culpable)? Nope!

They have the witness of nature and conscience - both of which have been ignored.

Truth is, the whole human race is marred by sin and due eternal damnation in a literal, fiery hell - under the watchful eye of a Holy God.

GOOD NEWS! A righteousness no one can acheive is offered freely by an outside source, namely, Jesus Christ. He lived the innocent life demanded of us perfectly obeying God's Law. His merits are given to those who believe.

All (without exception) are sinners. All (without exception) are offered new life. All who believe and receive are welcomed in and counted as righteous as Jesus.

Now that's grace!

Gospel Parenting

2010-02-17T14:46:00.002-06:00

A quote from, "Counsel from the Cross," p.159.

"Parents who forget that they are law breakers expect their children to keep the law and to make them look good. They expect children who exhibit exemplary respect and self-discipline. Such parents are self-righteous and proud, and all too often they put confidence in themselves, their ability to obey God, and their methodology for extracting obedience from their children. They forget that the Lord didn't save or bless them because they were law keepers, but, rather, because they weren't."

"Although they may know they have failed to keep the law - loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength and their neighbor as themselves - they give their children the law (or house rules) and expect perfect compliance the first time and every time, with a happy heart. Such parents are harsh and impatient and tempted to anger when their children fail. Although they might know the law doesn't change the heart (and is, in fact, a ministry of death [2 Cor.3:7]), they expect the law to change the hearts of their children. They forget that they have been adopted and brought into the family, not only as those who misunderstood or slipped up from time to time, but as defiant rebels. Have parents consistently obeyed God the first time and every time, with a happy heart? Children need what parents need - the Gospel. Certainly children need to learn God's law and to have house rules to follow, but gospel-oriented parents give the law to show children their need for a Savior, not to make them obedient."

Wow, I surely do have a long way to go in learning how to apply the Gospel to parenting!

I Am Jesus' Brother

2010-02-17T07:33:00.002-06:00

I know who I have been, what shameful things I have done, the temptations that yet plague me.

Amazing that Jesus still calls me His brother. You'd think He'd be too ashamed...except for one salient truth, namely, the fact that my perfect elder brother has made me holy. His record of a perfectly lived life in complete obedience to His Father has been given to me.

Scandalous...But I'm so grateful. I'm filled with joy.

Thank you, Elder Brother Jesus!

Hebrews 2:11 (NIV)
11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Striving for Rest

2010-02-06T09:39:00.002-06:00

"What is the faith that we need to hang on to as we seek to grow in godliness? That Jesus Christ has fulfilled every point of the law, that he also suffered torment as a lawbreaker on Calvary, that his Father poured out every drop of his righteous wrath on him, and that the resurrection declares the Father's approval of Christ's complete righteousness - divine approval in which we now share by the gift of his grace. We must believe (and continue to "beat it into our heads daily," as Luther once said) that God is perfectly satisfied in Christ's sacrifice for us, that we have obtained full adoption, and that God is pleased with us and calls us his "beloved." These truths will stimulate joy and expand our faith."

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest. (Heb.4:9-11)

From the book: Counsel from the Cross, p.122

Damning Memories Disolve

2010-01-28T07:45:00.001-06:00

When weighed down with the damning, haunting memory of past sins and temptations...I fly to the cross.

My only hope, my only rescue, my only righteousness, my only rest is in You, Lord Jesus Christ.

A Stupid Fire

2010-01-26T07:29:00.002-06:00

Back in the late 80's I was a member of a small church in southern New Hampshire. Our little church purchased a kid's camp located in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire. I remember that our church used to take Saturday trips to work on restoration of the old mountain church camp. On one particular weekend in an attempt to quickly be rid of an old outbuilding someone made the brilliant suggestion that we just burn down the old wooden structure. It seemed to be the best use of our time and energies, after all, it would save some time and back-breaking labor if we just burned it instead of taking it apart painstakingly.

We set it ablaze...and I mean BLAZE! That small, old out building suprised us...rather, the fire suprised us. It quickly became an inferno the flames of which licked toward the towering pines just out of reach.

We were definitely scared. We had every right to be...we had just very stupidly set fire to a structure that was now threatening a government protected / owned forest. Yeah, stupid?! Ya' think?

Thanks be to God that the flames died down before the trees set fire. The reason? The wood structure was consumed...there was no more wood to burn.

Gossip is much like this. Proverbs 26:20 tells us that "without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."

So, in this proverbial picture, gossip is the wood that provides fuel for a relational blaze. If we add more fuel (gossip) to the fire the blaze gets hotter...the end result is great destruction.

James 3:5-6 tells us that "the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

The point of this post? A wish...rather, a prayer: "God, help my tongue to be under the control of the Holy Spirit of God. Instead of boasting...instead of gossipping...may my tongue be used to build up others and bless them...for Jesus' sake. Amen."

September 30th - Redeemed

2009-10-04T21:57:00.002-05:00

This past Wednesday, September 30, God granted us closure on a lengthy effort at adopting. Into the Hunt family the newest member was re-named and given full legal standing with all rights and privileges of being the legal son of his parents. Gage Kenneth Hunt is now officially our son and will be loved and cared for by us till God matures him into a godly, Christ-centered man of God who branches out to make his own life.

Thus ends one journey toward adoption that began in January 2008. That same month and year we buried my dad. That's quite another story - one with a happy ending (of sorts) with unhappy years preceding death.

My dad fell away from life over 30 years ago when he had a mental/emotional/spiritual breakdown. Subsequent to this - and over a period of years - he lost his wife and 5 kids. He lost his ministry...he pushed many people away with his abusive speech. He hurt many people and terrorized his kids...and ex-wife. He was a tortured soul.

I prayed and prayed that God would heal him and restore him. I tried to build a relationship with him time and again...and then would have to move away from communicating with him for a time and again to let him cool off. He was manipulative, filled with rage and you know...it was just really sad.

Before he died God gave me and my wife about a month with him. He had had a stroke and entered the hospital where he stayed to his death. Those were difficult days; yet, there in that hospital God gave us a window into the truth that my dad - as tough as the last 30 years of his life had been - still confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior. My dad - the one who had terrorized us - was now a weak, drooling stroke victim struggling for physical life. He died. Yet, he lives - safe in the arms of Jesus.

I declared at my dad's funeral that perhaps it was about time my wife and I began to have children. Odd, I know...yet at the time it seemed like the thing to say. That month we began preparing for adoption.

The road to adoption was paved with challenges, discoveries, and some heartaches along the way. But each time I look into our son's eyes I know it was worth it all! I would do it again.

Today I was sitting at my desk at home. I reached into my top drawer and saw my dad's wallet. I decided to pull it out and look at the contents. My eyes were drawn toward his license. I pulled it out and began to look it over. That's when I saw my dad's birthday. I had forgotten. But there it was in black and white: September 30, 1944.

It began to dawn on me that God has redeemed this date for our family by rescuing a child on the day my dad was born.

September 30, 1944 a boy was born who ended up hurting many but still holding to faith.
September 30, 2009 a boy was adopted who I pray will be a man who blesses many as he becomes a man of faith.

Drifting Away

2009-08-27T15:32:00.000-05:00

"People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated."

D.A. Carson, quoted in an article entitled: Reflections, in Christianity Today, 7/31/2000.

Short on Words but Long on Power

2009-08-18T13:39:00.005-05:00

I tend to be long-winded. When I have the chance to preach or teach God's Word I tend to go long. Don't really think it's necessarily a good thing. As one person has said, "The mind can only absorb what the seat can endure." Probably a wise adage I should keep in mind.

This morning I opened the Bible to Psalm 117. In just 2 verses this shortest chapter of God's written word caused me to praise God.

A quick summary:

V.1 = all nations and all peoples are commanded to praise Yahweh
V.2 = two things should motivate our praise: Yahweh's lovingkindness and His everlasting truth.
V.2 = so just praise Yahweh!

Application:

It doesn't take me long at all to remember evidences in my life of the lovingkindness of Yahweh shown to me. I know what I deserve...and it's not pretty. "Thank You, Father, for your choice to love me and to give what I deserve to Jesus at the cross."
In a world of religious pluralism and relativism (read: what you believe or think is true is fine for you - I have my own reality) there is truth that has been eternally there, is still truth in the present and will always remain the truth eternally. This truth belongs to the Author of all truth: God Himself. And to think He's revealed that Truth to me in His Son Jesus! Wow!

"Praise You, Yahweh!"

Victory in Jesus

2009-08-04T15:32:00.002-05:00

I grew up in a traditional, conservative, mostly Baptist environment. Early on I learned many of the old hymns of the faith. One that seemed to be a favorite is the hymn Victory in Jesus.

I yawned a lot growing up in church. Hymns didn't mean a whole lot to me at that time. They were a boring part of my Sunday / Wednesday church experience.

Of course, after I truly became a follower of Jesus, my perspective began to change. I began to appreciate the rich treasure hymns are to the body of Christ. Many of them spell out in poetic detail the glories of our risen, exalted, reigning King - Jesus the Messiah!

I love hymns now - have for years.

When I look at the lyrics of the song Victory in Jesus I'm struck by the truth expressed so well - the reality of the ultimate victory that we have in Jesus.

Ephesians 6:10-13 makes it clear that we have a dangerous, but defeated foe. What's greater is that we also have a powerful Lord Jesus in whose strength we can take refuge and stand.

Praise God for His sustaining grace.

Unequally Yoked?

2009-07-28T11:06:00.004-05:00

Many times growing up in church I heard messages about marriage. Sometimes the focus was instruction to singles contemplating future marriage. Usually at some point 2 Corinthians 6:14 was referenced as biblical evidence that a believer should not marry an unbeliever.

NAU 2 Corinthians 6:14

Do not be bound together with unbelievers;

For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness,

Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

While I believe that a believer should only marry another believer, in 2 Cor.6:14 the context has nothing to do with marriage. Go ahead and read the chapter for yourself. Not once is the concept of marriage even introduced.

There are some other things that are presented in chapter 6:

Paul and his ministry partner's self-sacrifice for the sake of ministry to the Corinthians (vv.1-13)
Paul's instruction to the Corinthians that they not partner up with the false apostles that had infiltrated the Corinthian church - that instead they remember what is true and reject the unbelieving, false apostles (vv.14-18 - this is also one of the main themes in 2 Corinthians).
One of the major reasons Paul wrote 2 Corinthians was to rebut the false apostles who had come in after his departure and who were threatening the doctrine and life of the church.
This letter was intended, in part, to serve as an apologetic for Paul's true ministry in the Lord so that the Corinthians wouldn't be led astray by false teachers.

This verse has been so ripped out of context by the evangelical church in the USA that it's almost a crime. It's been said by someone wiser than me that a text taken out of context becomes a pre-text. Meaning, you can basically make any verse say what you want it to say if you get rid of the surrounding context.

Now then, having said the above, let me hastily add that there is biblical evidence that a believer should only marry someone who is a believer. A good illustration of this is found in: 1 Corinthians 7:39, which states that a believing wife whose husband has died is free to remarry…"but only in the Lord."

This phrase, "Only in the Lord" is obviously a reference to a believer marrying another believer.

Now then, regarding divorce and remarriage. Should a believer who has been divorced ever remarry - can they biblically? That's quite another question altogether.

First of all…if someone loses their spouse through death then they are then free to remarry. We know this to be true biblically. Why can they remarry? Because the spouse has died to the covenant taken at the marriage altar. In this case physical death of one partner releases the living partner from the covenant of marriage.

But…what happens when a spouse loses another spouse through divorce? Can that "innocent" person remarry? Consider the following scenarios:

Death of marriage covenant by abandonment: If a believing spouse is abandoned by an unbelieving spouse - the believer is not bound but free to remarry - 1 Cor.7:15.
Death of marriage covenant by two believers: If a believing spouse divorces a believing spouse - they are to remain unmarried or be reconciled to each other - 1 Cor.7:10-11. The reason God allowed His covenant people the option of divorce in the first place was because people have sinful, hard hearts and are irreconcilable (Matthew 19:1-9).
Death of marriage covenant by immorality: If a believing spouse divorces a believing or an unbelieving spouse for the reason of the other's infidelity then they are free from the covenant of marriage and thus free to remarry (see Matthew 5:32 & 19:9).

In two of the above cases, death of covenant by immorality or abandonment by unbeliever, the result is that the "innocent" party is free to remarry.

In the one case, two believers are tragically not being reconciled to each other - they are instructed not to remarry someone else but to be reconciled...or to stay single.

When a spouse dies the other is free to remarry, so it is when a spouse dies by abandonment or immorality. The "innocent" party is always free to remarry…whether from widowhood, abandonment or immorality received by another.

I think that this is where good, redeeming, church discipline helps. That is, if there are two professed believers in a marriage that is falling apart then there should be movement from the church to help the spouses reconcile. If, however, one desires to do whatever is necessary for reconciliation and the other is not - then, the unrepentant should be removed from the fellowship of the church until they repent (see Matthew 18 for church discipline instruction).

You'll notice in the Matthew 18 passage that if it gets to that point of removal from fellowship then the one removed is to be thought of as an unbeliever. If that person is thought of as an unbeliever and they are a spouse saying that they will not be reconciled to their spouse then they are dying to the covenant of marriage by abandonment and the other party is free to remarry.

Same is true in cases of abuse: If the abuser is an unbeliever and is abusing a spouse then is that not death by abandonment? And, if the abuser is a believer then the church discipline rules above would come into play.

I know this is a topic - the discussion of which many times includes deep emotional feelings. I am the son of two believers who divorced. There was an "innocent" party...yet neither remarried.

May God grant much grace, encouragement, and healing to all believers who may have a strained relationship with a spouse. May God grant much grace, encouragement, and healing to the children of those who suffer from those strained and even broken relationships.

May God grant a spouse to those eligible saints who desire a spouse who loves Jesus first in all things and that will love them faithfully.

Guilty?

2009-04-30T14:02:00.001-05:00

There it is again - that silent, nagging feeling of heaviness - GUILT!

Oh, there's plenty of evidence to make a case against you and me...we're quite the sinners, aren't we?

Sometimes we sense that thought fleeting through our minds - that wistful expression of desire for getting better, "If I could only forget...If only I'd not done, said, thought..."!!!

GUILTY! Our conscience - sometimes quiet - now screaming! GUILTY!!!

Oh, then the horror of that next thought, "Do you really think God loves you after what you did, said, thought?"

If the above describes you then perhaps the following scripture will be a refreshing drink for your soul:
ESV Romans 8:35 & 37-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You may sometimes feel as if your conscience is your enemy. It's not...but your enemy is real. The battle for your focus is real. The devil wants to distract you from Jesus and the glorious truth of who you are in Him. If you are one who confesses Jesus then you are forgiven, loved, set free - free to walk in a manner worthy of the high calling to which you've been called in Jesus.

Orphan Trains

2008-09-04T09:47:00.000-05:00

Recently I watched a documentary on Orphan Trains. It seems that many years ago in the US there were trains that carried orphaned and abandoned street kids from New York City way out into the Midwest. At each train depot the hope was that there would be a family or two or three that would take a kid or two or five!

Some stories were gut wrenching - like the one young man who was a part of a sibling group of brothers and sisters. He watched as at stop after stop a sibling was picked for adoption - then on to the another train depot where he said a forever goodbye again. This went on till he was the last one of the siblings left on the train. He finally was picked by a family.

So, what's better? Live like an animal surviving on the streets of New York city or being put on an orphan train and shipped to the Midwest? You can decide.

Adoption is not a new concept.

Orphans have been around for millennia - so has adoption.

The methods may have changed on how we find potential adoptive families - but the needs are the same.

Every child belongs to the human race...just not to a particular human family.

We all want to feel the embrace of a loving parent - to feel as if we matter - that we're not human garbage to be discarded on the street, used for personal pleasure, or forgotten about - tucked away in an orphanage somewhere.

We want to belong! You and I want to be able to say, "Mom...Dad."

God loves orphans:
Exodus 22:22 "You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.
Psalm 68:5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows-- this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God wants followers of Jesus to love orphans:
James 1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
When one really thinks about it - Adam was the first "son" of God in the human line of "sons". He became an orphan because of sin. He, along with our mother Eve - became estranged from their Heavenly Daddy.

We have all followed in the line of Adam. Because of sin we are all spiritual orphans. We need to be re-captured by the Father - ADOPTED by Him.

My wife and I have been preparing to adopt children. Since January of this year we've taken classes, had a home study done, looked at profiles of available children. It's been quite the process. DHS has a means in place whereby qualified families may adopt available children.

God has His means in place as well by which spiritual orphans are adopted. That means is a Person and a Process.

The Person is the second Adam - Jesus Christ, THE perfect Son of God.

The Process of spiritual adoption is linked to the Person.

It goes like this: Before God created the world He looked ahead in time and saw an entire globe that would be filled with spiritual orphans - sinners who needed to be adopted by the Heavenly Father.

Just like my wife and I will choose to adopt certain kids someday - God the Father, on obviously a much deeper and much broader scale - chose certain kids to be brought into His heavenly family. He chose us in Christ before He even created the world.

Now, in time and space, as those orphans are born and living in the world the Father sends His good news of grace for all to hear. Those who truly hear and respond in faith are those whom He has already chosen in eternity past and now in time have been given faith to believe.

Have you been spiritually adopted?

Are you chosen?

2008-08-28T16:09:00.000-05:00

Okay - that's a question that needs a little explaining.

We're not talking about the trauma you received in your grade school PE class when two team captains chose who they wanted on their dodge ball team!

We're not talking about submitting your resume' with the hopes that yours shines brighter than the rest! Will they choose you?

What we're talking about is much more about life and death - eternal life and death, that is.

Has God chosen you?

Now that's a little deeper question...don't you think?

It's also a question that ticks some people off even as it fills some hearts with gratitude.

Chosen by God? Doesn't that just smack of elitism - of better-than-you-ism?

Or...maybe I didn't do anything to earn it! Maybe I'm just as surprised as the next person that God would choose me over others...after all, I've lived in this skin and know the sinful jerk I've been.

Yet, God in His mercy chose me before He even created the world? Man, that just about blows my mind out the top of my bald head!

I'm praising God for His kindness and grace today.

Saying, "Yes".

2008-08-14T12:45:00.000-05:00

Okay, so how do you know when to say, "Yes", and when to look the other way?

I mean, Moses was secure in his mundane life of shepherding. "What is this flaming voice telling me to do? You want me to go where...do what?!?"

"Come on, I'm too unqualified...after all, why would the people of Israel believe me...not to mention the Pharaoh! I mean whom shall I say sent me?"

"I AM", was God's reply.

And, He still IS!

God is still the enabler of the unqualified - the One who calls the broken and unprepared to service.

But He goes with us...and that's what makes it okay. Just as God empowered Moses so He does with you and me.

Maybe what God invites you to do isn't as dramatic as what God called Moses to do; however, has He invited you...called you to do something? Anything? One thing...now?

Are you in a habit of saying, "Yes", when God calls your name?

No, it might not be a flaming bush on fire as you walk your dog some evening; however, does the Spirit prompt you to do good to someone in the name of Jesus?

Maybe a submissive posture of "Yes" is all that is required.

"Yes, Lord, I'll talk to that person...I'll help this other person...I'll share my faith with..."

When we're used to saying "Yes" to God in the little opportunities maybe we'll hear more clearly when we are asking God for wisdom in the bigger things?

Selfishness

2008-07-30T11:26:00.002-05:00

Unselfishness: How does that happen? Maybe you're like me - the bug of self has burrowed deeply into your heart. How does that vile bug get exterminated?

Paul points us to the attitude of heart that is winsome to others and toxic to the self bug:
NLT Philippians 2:3 Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
I don't think the Holy Spirit is wanting us to become like Disney's Eeyore - complete with a depressed attitude and low expectations. Rather, we should just have a quiet heart attitude of servanthood to others. This is my goal - not always how I perform - but it is my goal.

Churches Reaching People in Culture

2008-07-24T10:34:00.003-05:00

Both quotes below are from D.A Carson's book: The Cross and Christian Ministry, pp.134-135.

Both quotes are in seeking to apply to our modern context truth found in 1 Cor.9:19

NIV 1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

"The more that a gap opens up between the culture of the church and the
culture of the surrounding society, the more important it is to know how to
bridge that gap. But the concern must never be to prove how cosmopolitan
and sophisticated and flexible we are. The aim must be "to win as many as
possible."

"We must adopt as our aim the salvation of men and
women. That vision will enable us to avoid cloister Christianity. We
need to meditate on Psalms 96 and 98; Isaiah 49:1-13; Jeremiah 12:12-17; Micah
4; Colossians 1:15-29; and Revelation 4-5. We must become global in our
awareness and compassion. Cultural sensitivity and flexibility must become
tools to enable us to address the challenges of cross-cultural evangelism wisely
and courageously, rather than ends in themselves to create a myopic elite of
lovely, flexible people."

Innocence Condemned

2008-07-03T11:18:00.000-05:00

It's not pretty - it's not fair - but it sometimes happens. You're misunderstood, or, worse yet someone just simply doesn't like the fact that you exist.

Innocence - it's true - you haven't done anything to merit the ill will of your opponent - heck, you didn't even want to have an opponent. Out of nowhere comes a person with an agenda - their sites set on you.

You'd better defend yourself - get smart - get all your facts in a row - prepare to fight back - the battle is looming...after all, what will others think about you if you let what this person is trying to do to you continue without some pushback!?

Condemnation - well, I guess if someone was really weak natured maybe they'd just let it happen. Maybe it won't be so bad after all...maybe it'll blow over.

Insert Jesus into this scenario. He is the powerful Creator by whom and for whom all things were created - perfect in Innocence yet on trial before religious folks with murder on the mind. They're so close to getting the "blasphemer" crucified they can already sense the metallic taste of His blood on their tongues.

So, what will the personification of Innocence do when faced with the cruel Condemnation of His killers? What can we learn from the scene described in Mark 14:53-65?

The Gospel: Earth's Renewal or Recreation?

2008-05-03T09:14:00.002-05:00

The gospel is good news for the universe...but in what manner?

Specifically, how should one understand the gospel in light of the end of all things?

Does the gospel result in a renewed earth - complete with a renewed society, or, is it something different?

I believe that the gospel results not in a renewal but in a re-creation. There is a difference.

If I want to renew then I take what exists and restore it.

Scripture teaches that the gospel brings re-creation / new creation, if you will.

This re-creation is what happens to the sinner who repents in faith receiving God's gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Anyone in Christ is a new creation...

This re-creation is what happens to the universe at the end of all things as we know them. The Lord Jesus returns and at some point destroys the universe and creates a new one - a new heaven and a new earth, in fact.

So, what about now? What should a follower of Jesus Christ do while waiting for the re-creation of all things?

We should do good to all as we have opportunity...especially those who belong to the household of faith.
We should live holy lives.
We should make disciples.

So, what should we not do? We should not minimize the gospel to some moralistic answer to the wicked world. It is so much different than that. The gospel is not: Do better, be better, help restore and renew...then you'll be a "kingdom worker" and pleasing to God.

The point? Doing good things doesn't = kingdom advancement. We're not in some cooperation with God for the renewal of this fallen universe. We are living in the midst of a fallen, flawed creation that is groaning waiting for the final revelation of the sons of God. Both humanity and globe need re-creation. We seek the re-creation of souls now (by God's effective power) even as we long for the re-creation of the universe someday.

The method? The way in which we engage a fallen, flawed creation should be with stewardship and love in mind. Stewardship in that as human beings we are caretakers of this globe and should display God's glory in His Fatherly compassion and care of creation. In love we should seek to bring other lost ones to the Savior.

This view doesn't negate conservation, green earth policies, or social responsibility and social advancement; rather, it's an attempt to not equate conservation or green earth policies and social efforts with "kingdom advancement." Followers of Jesus aren't working hard to get everything better to a certain blessed point where Jesus can return and complete all the good things we've begun!

Jesus is currently making people become re-created / new creations through His blood.

One day Jesus will make the heavens and the earth re-creations as well.

Am I Too Far Past the Pain?

2007-03-22T20:45:00.000-05:00

On June 30, 2002 I was saddened by my own feelings of spiritual superiority over sinners. It's not that I didn't think I was a sinner - it's just that I wasn't walking in sin. I had come to the place where I felt cleaned up and spiritually sanitary. It was nice to look at others and wish they'd come along a little quicker. That is, until God showed me a glimpse of my pride. I sat and wrote the following words:

Am I too far past the pain to show compassion?

Too far past the guilt to shed a tear?

Has my faith become a spiritual distraction,

From telling sinful souls that they are dear?

Dear to Your heart. Blood on Your brow,

Scars in Your hands. Reaching out now.

Grasping at lambs. Pulling them near.

Out of their death. Delivered from fear.

Why do I laugh at sinners and offer them my judgment?

Boycott, snub, and wrinkle up my nose?

Most of the time think I'm above them.

'Till in the mirror my sin shows.

I've turned away shut the door upon the broken.

Forgotten what it's like to live in fear.

Melt me 'till I love enough to show them.

That through Your blood they've been brought near.

Near to Your heart. Blood on Your brow.

Scars in Your hands. Reaching out now.

Grasping at lambs. Pulling them near.

Out of their death. Delivered from fear.

Sometime after penning these words I began to pray that God would do whatever He needed to do to break me. I asked Him to take my health, my financial blessing, my family, and even my life, in order to make me the man of God He wanted me to become.

He has blessed me with brokenness. He has caused me to remember "what it's like to live in fear." He's melted me to where I am more compassionate toward others broken by life, self, others, and sin.

I thank God for His wisdom. I give God all the glory for who He is and for the satisfaction that His presence brings.

Still not arrived...James.

"A Protest Against Pharisaism"

2007-01-22T16:00:00.000-06:00

An excerpt from Preface to 2nd edition of "Jane Eyre" by 19th century novelist, Charlotte Bronte'

"To that class in whose eyes whatever is unusual is wrong; whose ears detect in each protest against bigotry - that parent of crime - an insult to piety, that regent of God on earth, I would suggest to such doubters certain obvious distinctions; I would remind them of certain simple truths:

"Conventionality is not morality.
"Self-righteousness is not religion.
"To attack the first is not to assail the last.
"To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee, is not to lift an impious hand to the crown of thorns.

"These things and deeds are diametrically opposed; they are as distinct as vice from virtue. Men too often confound them: they should not be confounded:

"Appearance should not be mistaken for truth;
"Narrow human doctrines, that only tend to elate and magnify a few, should not be substituted for the world-redeeming creed of Christ.

"There is - I repeat it - a difference; and it is a good, and not a bad action to mark broadly and clearly the line of separation between them.

"The world may not like to see these ideas dissevered, for it has been accustomed to blend them; finding it convenient to make external show pass for sterling worth - to let whitewashed walls vouch for clean shrines. it may hate him who dares to scrutinize and expose - to raise the gilding, and show base metal under it - to penetrate the sepulchre, and reveal charnel relics: but hate as it will, it is indebted to him."

Divorce - Bound or Free?

2006-12-14T12:58:00.000-06:00

My family has been affected by divorce. Has yours? If statistics report acurately, you've probably been touched by it personally (you, your parents, friends, relatives). It's everywhere. As Rick so aptly indicated, see link above, the church isn't better off than the unchurched.

The opinions regarding the legitimacy of divorce and remarriage are varied. Sometimes people engage is spirited debate regarding the issue at hand. This is no truer today than is Jesus' time.

What follows is my best understanding of scriptures' overall teaching on the subject (not to be read as exhaustive, but rather, a simple overview).

Jesus' Teaching About Divorce
Matthew 19:1 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” [1]

Footnote
[1] 19:9 Some manuscripts add and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery; other manuscripts except for sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery

Matthew 5:31-32
31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

One of the principles of hermeneutics, bible interpretation and study, is that to take a text out of context makes it become a pretext. In other words, passages don't live in isolation. Scripture must interpret scripture. The whole body of teaching on a given subject, wherever it is found, must be considered in order to discover the whole revealed council of God on a matter.

Please note that the Matthew 5 passage is a quote from Jesus' famed Sermon on the Mount. It's in a laundry list of issues that Jesus is dealing with. The presentation method Jesus is using is: "You've heard it said...but I say..." Divorce is the third issue among six that are dealt with in this presentation style.

In each of the six cases, Jesus takes a common perspective of the day and inverts the thought on the issue. Look at the following examples:

Anger
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Lust
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Divorce
31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Retaliation
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Love Your Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"

Do you see what He's doing? He's actually making things more difficult. Jesus is raising the bar in each case. It's almost like He's telling people..."You think this command is right? Check out God greater standard!"

It's interesting to note that these commands are given in the same sermon as the Beatitudes...also things that are the raising of the bar. I mean, who among us can live up to that? And, incidentally, could that be an underlying point He's trying to make? The law demonstrates our need of grace. Jesus' commands demonstrate our need of grace: The graces of faith, repentance, ability, etc.

Check out the flow of thought in the Matthew 5 passage:

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

"Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce" In that day men were able to write a "certificate of divorce" for any reason at all. Anything that displeased the husband...he could just walk in, throw a "certificate of divorce" on the table, and you were out the door to fend for yourself in a male dominated world.
"Everyone who divorces his wife...makes her commit adultery...and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery" Jesus immediately attacks the male dominated abuse of easy divorce. It's almost as if He's asking, "Guys, do you not realize what you're making your wife do? When you just write some divorce decree on a whim and send her out, how do you think she's going to survive? You know how she's going to survive...she's going to have to get married again. This is making her commit adultery and making the man she marries commit adultery...because you've divorced her for an illegitimate reason"

"Except on the ground of sexual immorality"
What is "Except" if it's not an exception clause? Exception from what?
*If you divorce a woman for other reasons than her infidelity than you are guilty of sinning against her and the man she marries.
*If you divorce a woman for her infidelity than you are not guilty of sinning against her or the man she marries
Note, in this passage on divorce, it's understood that a divorced person is probably going to remarry.

Is it any wonder then that Jesus reiterates His initial teaching on divorce in Matthew 19 when the Pharisees came to Him and said,

3 “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

Notice that He ends up saying the same thing, in essence, as the Matthew 5 passage...but, wait! Hold on! This passage takes a twist!

Whereas Matthew 5 deals specifically with the guilt of one who's not the seeker of the divorce getting remarried...Matthew 19 deals specifically with the guilt or innocence of the one who is in fact the seeker of the divorce. Notice the flow of thought:

"Whoever divorces his wife...and marries another, commits adultery"
*Unless it fits in the exception clause, which in this case is as follows: "except for sexual immorality"
*Unless we twist Jesus' words, this has to mean that if a man divorces a wife who's cheated on him then he's free to remarry, and, if a man divorces a wife that hasn't cheated on him, and he remarries, then he commits adultery.
Bear in mind that both these sections of scripture are spoken to people who are still under the Old Covenant. Jesus had come to replace the Old Covenant with the New. He came to fulfill the Old and usher in a new era. This is what He did. However, when He taught, He taught as One living under the Old Covenant to people under the Old Covenant (But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law - Galatians 4:4).

Check out the New Covenant teaching of Paul that sheds additional light on this issue of divorce. It doesn't disagree with Jesus' command, instead, it complements.

1 Corinthians 7:10-16
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

Note the points made in the above to married Christians: Don't divorce another believer. If you do, stay unmarried or be reconciled (meaning, if you divorce another Christian...you're still bound, so don't remarry)

12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?

Note the points made in the above to Christians who are married to unbelievers: If the unbeliever decides to stay with the Christian, then the Christian should remain married. If the unbeliever decides to divorce the Christian, the Christian must let the other person go. If the unbeliever leaves, abandons the Christian, then the Christian is not bound...and, in context with the instruction to Christians remaining unmarried if divorced from another Christian, it must mean that if an unbeliever departs, that the Christian is free to remarry. Otherwise, what in the world does bound / unbound mean? Remember, Jesus dealt with this issue of being bound and unbound.

Now then, issues of divorce. It seems clear to me that the way someone is not bound, or, put it positively, the way someone formerly married is free to remarry has to fit in one of the following categories:

Spouse is physically dead - thus not bound legally
Unbelieving spouse abandoned Christian - thus Christian not bound
Unfaithful spouse is given a divorce - thus the faithful partner is not bound

In each case someone dies. A person dies physically, morally or contractually.

Is there a deeper issue here? I believe so. Are there different manifestations of abandonment, for example? I think so. Consider the following: Physical, mental, severe emotional abuse - are these not types of abandonment - dying to the marriage partner and marriage vows? I think so. What about someone who looks at pornography? Is that not a committing adultery? It is in Jesus' perspective. Then, does that not fit into the category of marital unfaithfulness and sexual immorality...which instance is grounds for the innocent party seeking a divorce and the innocent party remarrying?

Taken as a whole, the doctrine of divorce is more involved than one might think at first blush.

Now then, having said all that, let me quickly add that the grace of God can restore even the worst of marriages...and, I believe God wants to do just that! The threat of divorce shouldn't be used as a tool of manipulation. A dissatified spouse shouldn't look for a "biblical" reason to divorce, after all, God hates divorce (For the Lord, the God of Israel, says that he hates divorce - Malachi 2:16).

May God restore marriages, bring to repentance those in sin on this issue, and restore the broken.

Can Jesus REALLY Satisfy?

2006-11-22T13:04:00.000-06:00

I'm concerned about the terminology: "Jesus Satisfies." Is it true?

I'm not talking about the answer that one might be expected to give in Sunday School; rather, I'm interested in someone fleshing it out in real life.

The instruction given in Hebrews 13:5 ("Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”) is an interesting perspective, once examined.

Isn't the writer saying that the way to keep one's "life free from love of money, and be content with what you have" is the presence of Jesus?

The presence of Christ - satisfying enough to cause the earthbound creature to gaze upward? Really?

Could it be that the psalmist's refrain in 16:11 is of the same tenor? He writes emoting His God-ward song to Yahweh:

"You make known to me the path of life
"In your presence there is fullness of joy
"At your right hand are pleasures forevermore"

Ah, satisfaction in One who's presence gives direction, joy, and eternal pleasures.

But can one know this satisfaction fully? Are we not too distracted by life? Is not the pull of the world too strong?

Wait. Perhaps it's possible after all.

Jesus followed to perfection the "path of life" that His Father had for Him (So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise." Matthew 5:19)
Jesus found an other-worldly, "fullness of joy" that sustained and emboldened Him (...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2) (That "joy set before Him" was none other than the soon coming answer to His prayer in John 17:5, "And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed." - the joy was being in the presence of His Father in full glory and communion)
Jesus looked forward to the "eternal pleasures" perfectly ("Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." John 17:24)

Come to think of it, maybe we can't obtain satisfaction perfectly in this life, not at all a deficiency in the Satisfier; but rather in the subjects in need of satisfaction. However, what if our pursuit of satisfaction in Jesus is enough?

Perhaps when we trip and see the earth instead of the sky, then we'll hear the gentle whisper of the Spirit: "straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28 b).

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Nostalgia

2006-10-04T08:33:00.000-05:00

With the rush of the crisp Fall air my thoughts are whisked away to another place and time. Maine - childhood.

Having been born and, for some years, reared in Maine, this state has a honored place in my heart. I love its rugged coastline, the snowy winters, the White Birch tree (with its peeling bark). I love the smell of the salt air mixed with the steam from a bowl of clam chowder at a ocean-side cafe'.

My older brother and I built a tree house in the middle of a stately, old White Birch. We used to run the rocks at the ocean. As for the snow? We used to build snow forts and play for hours.

I love Maine.

For the first time in over a decade, God is giving me the opportunity to visit Maine in the Fall. Next Tuesday I fly out to visit Portland, Waterville (my hometown), among other places. It'll be great to see family and friends.

Do you have a place of nostalgia?

Honoring...the Abuser?

2006-08-31T11:33:00.000-05:00

For nearly 30 years my family has suffered:

My mother - from an emotionally abusive and physically threatening husband, now "ex".
My Siblings - from a warped, terrorizing dad

The suffering has taken its emotional toll on each family member. Individually we've dealt with the abuse in our own ways. But it's hurt.

After years of being pressed upon the soul becomes tired. Sighing is a familiar occurance each time dad leaves one of his very strange messages on the voice mail.

A few nights ago my wife and I got home from a pretty long day. It was around 9 p.m. when I stood out on the back porch watching my dogs lift their legs. I decided to check my voice mail. Sure enough, it was my dad. I won't repeat the vulgarities and vitriol he spewed forth into my mind through his familiar inflections and words. You'd think that after all these years it wouldn't matter.

But it did matter. Maybe because I was already spent for the day, I don't know. But I sighed. Leaning on the column next to me, I sighed to God. The moment was a weak one. My cry was tired, "God." My throat constricted; my eyes moist, "God, how do you want me to react to this?" I really felt the urge to call my dad and tell him to just stop the insanity. But deep down I knew that would be pointless.

So, I continued, "God, what would You tell me from Your word. Surely there is something You can remind me of."

Instantly came the words, "Honor your father..."

"But how?," I asked. "How do I honor someone that has continually hurt me?"

In my spirit I heard, 'Don't take revenge, leave room for God's wrath...vengeance is mine, I will repay', says the Lord."

That satisfied me. If I'm supposed to honor my dad...when I really feel like pushing back...and God has said to leave room for His divine wrath... Okay, I could deal with that!

Just then one more scriptural concept came to mind. I thought of Christ Jesus. It is said of Him that He fully drank the cup of His Father's wrath.

The implication for my situation was instantly clear. God had given me a new thing to consider. Grace. The same act of selfless sacrifice of my Savior paid my sin debt...and my dad's.

My dad confesses Jesus.

I confess Jesus.

Jesus took God's wrath for us both.

Now, I'm determined, each time I'm reminded of my dad's brokenness, I'm going to try to use it as an occasion to remember God's grace on us both.

An Intimate Note from My Journal

2006-08-04T10:14:00.000-05:00

I personally have really been impacted by things God has been teaching me over the last several months. Though my journal is a very private thing (my wife doesn't even read it), I feel impressed to share with you a portion of today's entry. It will give you a window into my soul:

"It is so interesting to me that I can feel so weak and not even feel like I'm having a spectacular walk with You - and, yet, at the points of ministry opportunity You shine through me in magnificent ways. I am so aware that without You I am destroyed and useless:
1. Spiritually - I can't sustain myself - let alone others
- You do the filling, drawing and empowering
2. Relationally - Ali and I have faced challenges and stresses but You've provided life at every turn
3. Ministerially - I can't gift myself for any task
- I can't make people desire You or have receptivity
- I can't create real opportunities for true ministry
- I can't strengthen or empower myself
- I can't put my gifts on auto-pilot...each time of use they must
be set aflame to effectiveness by You
"It's warmly strange - I welcome it - this knowledge that I'm one step away from stupid - one stumble from destroyed - one crack and I'm done...in every way! You, O Lord, have made it clear to me that though I bring nothing to Your table but brokenness - You send me from your table with adequacy for life, for conduct befitting saints, empowerment and opportunity for ministry.

"To You be all the honor, glory and praise."

We Cannot Help But Speak of What we've Seen and Heard

2006-07-27T19:56:00.000-05:00

I sit here...back in the Karaoke bar that doubles as our mission outpost, having devotions with the team. Okay, in truth, I just gave a scripture focus and prayed...now I'm letting you peek in the window.

Today is a very special day. We pray that it's a great day of harvest. We've been systematically telling biblical stories in an effort to chip away at the people's pagan world view and to prepare the way for the gospel presentation. Check out the following progression of stories:
1. Creation
2. The Fall
3. Sin Sacrifice
4. Promise of the Perfect Sacrifice
5. Birth of the Perfect Lamb
6. The Prodigal Son
7. The Gospel

Today it's The Prodigal and The Gospel stories. We pray for a harvest. Many of the students are really starting to get it. We are confident in God's ability to draw them to Himself. Will you pray with us?

Last night we had dinner with a very respected elected representative. The night before he had received Jesus as Lord and Savior. The night prior to his salvation his wife had called one of our hosts, a native to the community we're in, to ask for a group to come to her house. She was very curious why so many would spend time and money to come to this tiny dot on the global map. A group went to visit her. Her husband wasn't present that night as she expressed herself to our team. She was in much emotional turmoil and pain. Our team presented testimonies of personal suffering and how the Most High God had comforted them and brought peace in the midst of suffering. They then presented the Suffering Savior. She opened her heart and received Jesus. The next night her husband did. Last night we all ate together...all 52 of our team with these new babes in Christ. This would be like inviting a congressman to dinner and his accepting. He has great potential to make a difference in the spread of the gospel in this area. He has a desire to be a witness. Will you pray for this new couple?

We thought we came to work for God. He's been working for, in and around us in ways that can only be attributed to Him.

Got to go. We have a baptism within the hour for the representative and his wife.

Working for God Never Looked Like This

2006-07-24T23:40:00.000-05:00

We've been holed up indoors since yesterday evening...only venturing out to go back to our rooms across the courtyard. It's been a typhoon. It hit last night with winds howling and rains beating the roof with fury.

It seemed yesterday as we anticipated the coming of the typhoon that we were going to have a wasted day. We had to cancel camp and the senior adult English class. Here we are all the way from Oklahoma to the Far East...for what?

Last night as we sat in the commons area God began to work. Some from our team engaged in conversation with the wife and 2 daughters of the owner of the bed & breakfast at which we staying. The conversation turned to spiritual matters. All 3 gave their lives in faith to Jesus.

This morning as we sat in training 2 of ladies came to visit. These are ladies that our team were teaching English to the day before. As we trained others engaged in conversation with the visiting ladies. They both received Jesus as Lord and Savior. They came into the room where our team of 50+ people were meeting (team from Taiwan, New Mexico, California, Oklahoma) and gave public testimony to their faith in Christ. We had a time of prayer for them. They are sure to face some pretty intense opposition and persecution from family and others. To accept Jesus is pretty much okay...that is, until you reject all the other false gods the family worships.

As we got ready for lunch today we were about to pray. Someone announced that a lady had just called into the bed and breakfast, and even though she was told that it was full, insisted that she and her daughter are coming to stay for 10 days. I wonder why she feels like she has to come here? Mmm... I wonder if God is drawing her to a divine appointment?

So here we thought we came to serve God and work hard for Him...Instead, He's working despite us and in the midst of a typhoon.

Me thinks God is soveriegn.

Not So Deep Thoughts From Taiwan

2006-07-23T03:32:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting in a small room that's bustling with energy. It's actually a karaoke bar that's being set up for an evening worship service for the House of Hakka - a new church plant in Fenglin,
Taiwan. Next to me is a lady who's working on her keyboard trying to get it working to accompany the singing. To my right is my co-worker and friend, Michael Butler, High School pastor at Council Road Baptist.

Fourteen people from Council Road have traveled to meet the rest of the team for this week's mission effort in this small, rural town. There are some from California, one person from New Mexico, some from All Nations Church (an international church plant at NW Baptist, OKC), as well as a large group from various places in Taiwan.

The thunder rumbles outside, the clouds hang gray and pregnant hiding the tops of the mountains. We're sure to get wet soon. We've been told that a typhoon is on it's way this Tuesday. We pray not.

Why are we here? To spread the knowledge of the glory of God revealed in Jesus to those blinded to the truth. Some will be teaching the elderly English, others will visit the prison, we'll prayer walk, and, we'll by God's grace have a Middle School camp for about 70 kids.

Pray that many seeds will be planted and that God will be glorified. We so want to be with the new worshippers God will raise up on that great day of praise around the throne of the Lamb.

To His praise and glory forever.

Satire From the Bible Belt

2006-07-18T21:09:00.000-05:00

Dear Jesus,

It's been awhile since I started walking with You. Of course, I've heard about You all my life. I remember all the stories I heard about You as I grew up in Sunday School. You seemed like such a loving person. And I was so sad to hear You suffered...but at least the stories were tidy. The flannal-graph didn't bleed. The bad ladies you hung out with at times seemed tame. The tax collectors? Well, they seemed to be okay folk. I just couldn't understand why those religious leaders were angry at You. You seemed so sweet and kind.

I'm a little older now, and, if You'll be patient with me, I'd like to offer some more mature thoughts that trouble me.

First, I'd like to talk with You about your death. Mmm, couldn't You have figured out something a little less gruesome? I mean, no offense, but I've heard a little more of the truth about Roman crucifixion, now that I'm an adult. It was horrible and shameful. Don't You think You could have cleaned it up a little? Couldn't You have been a little more acceptable in the form of death You chose? I mean, You could have accomplished the same thing with other forms of death couldn't You?

Jesus, it bugs me that You've got all that blood on You. Could You at least wipe a little of it off?It's repulsive to hear Your flesh rip and see the flicks of flesh spatter at the whipping post. And couldn't You have picked a more modest way to die? I mean...You're naked and all. You created the universe...couldn't You have at least kept on a loincloth? It's flat shameful, Jesus...shameful to my sensibilities! How in the world am I supposed to describe to tender, Christian ears the horror of Your crucifixion? I guess I'll just have to soften it up! You and I both know that they really don't want to hear the truth.

Another thing: Your Methods,

So what about this making wine for people that had already been drinking for a few days? How in the world am I supposed to explain that one, Hmmm?

Or, how about that woman who's obviously a little off her rocker...I mean, look at her groveling on the floor. It's disgusting seeing the snot coming out of her nose as she shakes weeping violently. Look at Your feet! They're all wet with this woman's silly tears. It's a little embarrassing! We are in public, You know! We're at a religious leader's house. He's dressed nicely. Nice people are here...respectable people! Man, You sure are a nuisance with what You allow!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The Temple. Mmm...what were You thinking? Forgive me, but are You a little touched in the head? You came running like an insane man, screaming at the top of Your lungs about their making the Temple a den of thieves! Come on! Lighten up a bit! People do pray in there! It's not like people just sell stuff. I mean, do You really think You're going to change everything? The Pharisees do have it together! Leave them alone!

Oops. I've rambled. I hope You don't take offense. It's just that here in the Midwest, in the 21st Century...it's obvious that You need to just be tamed down a bit.

But for the grace of God go I

2006-07-11T22:19:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday about 30 singles from Council Road Baptist Church went to the Wiley Post Park in OKC. Our purpose was to share the love of Jesus with the homeless.

Whereas during the week meals are prepared for the homeless, on Sundays the area kitchens don't serve a meal. A lady has organized volunteer churches to come on rotation and provide a meal to those that gather at the park. Anywhere from 100-300 homeless people show up.

I'm a white, middle-class, suburban kind of guy. This was definately a new experience for me. I'm glad I went.

I had a long conversation with a man, we'll call him Dave. Dave had just become homeless that morning. His roommate that he'd known since he was a kid bailed on him...but didn't inform him that he'd not paid the rent.

Dave is a felon and also doesn't have a driver's license. Though he's "clean" (drug and alcohol free) now, it's still hard for him to land a steady job. He is a skilled handyman, drywaller and fence builder; but, his leg, which had an obvious problem, is growing weaker making it hard for him to work the physically demanding jobs he's been used to.

God gave me the privelege of witnessing to Dave and praying for him. Before we said goodbye, I gave him a "Here's Hope" New Testament. He was grateful.

I wasn't the only one engaging in conversation. It was wonderful to look around the park and see our singles serving food while others sat down and shared the love of Jesus. One of the University students that came with us ministered to a whole family. She gave them New Testaments and prayed for them. They asked her to read specific passages out loud to them and to pray for their children, some of whom were in prison.

I could have looked at the homeless with disdain, as sometimes before I've been guilty; however, I have to think, But for the grace of God go I.

Blue Like...Doubt?

2006-06-25T14:35:00.000-05:00

I just got done reading a book by Donald Miller entitled, "Blue Like Jazz." It's an easy read, for the most part. I was captivated by the following things:

Naked and brutal transparency - not used to someone splitting open their guts for all to see their insides. This was sometimes refreshing and at other times disturbing (maybe because I'm not as transparent?)
Courage - The guy cast personal protection to the wind and opened up his life and thought process...and journey from doubt to faith in a very courageous manner...and sometimes it's tough to read about his doubts.
His seemingly random style of writing - he wove together stories in a way not unlike the gospel writers seemed to have chosen to do...organize and interweave events to make a point. It was interesting to see how he'd start a story and only tell a part of it in one chapter (enough to make his point) and then in a later chapter...finish the story..to make yet another point.
His chapter on wonder being the essence of worship. Worth reading the book just for this chapter.
His nicknames for people - "Mark, the cussing pastor"; "Tony, the beat poet", for example.

Good book for those willing to go on a wild ride from deep doubt to maturing faith.

The Gospel

2006-05-23T15:17:00.000-05:00

God in a Crib - in diapers, feeding off His mother's nourishment.

God as an adolescent - growing in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

God as fodder for gossip - "That bastard child," it was said.

God as a scandal - that Friend of sinners, winebibber, glutton.

God as a rebel - that One who pulled rank on religious elites.

God as a teacher - masterful, patient, stern, kind.

God on a cross - vile, exposed, shamed, mocked

God as the Lamb - the Slain, the Sacrifice, the Sacrificer.

God as sin - Who became sin for us, He who'd known no sin.

God as Substitute - The One who took the punishment in place of the Elect.

God as Searcher - Looking for those other lost sheep that must come to Him.

_______________________________________________________

I concur with the apostle Paul sentiment: "I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ, and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! As we have said before, I now say again: if anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him! For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ."

________________________________________________________

The gospel in brief:

We are unholy. He makes us holy.

We turn away. He turns us back.

We sin. He saves.

Hairy Legs, The Kilt, Other Observations

2006-05-12T22:59:00.000-05:00

So I'm sitting at our round table at the Reform and Resurge conference this week...when I saw a guy walk by in shorts....

Shorts? "What in the world", I thought! This guy's got a dress on! I just figured it was a Seattle thing. After all, Seattle is a pretty liberal town. Maybe it was an emerging trend among men?

I finally had the opportunity to ask the hairy-legged kilt-wearer the why question. His answer? His son is in a bag-pipe group and wears a kilt. As dad, he thought he'd try one out a couple of years ago. He's been wearing them ever since. He said that it felt like a bath towel that didn't fall off. I was glad to hear that.

And, no, I didn't ask if he wore boxers or briefs.

I did ask how well it went when he rode his Harley Davidson. He said that he can keep things together when he's in town but that it gets a little challenging on the highway.
_____________________________________________________________________
Other Observations:

The Reform and Resurge conference was at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. It is an inner-city mega-church targeting post-modern types.

I didn't really know what to expect.

Would they teach a compromised gospel?
Would they be liberal in their view of scripture?
Would the fact that it was inter-denominational diminish boldness and blur the lines of truth?
Would they propose a type of moving away from the preaching of the Word of God as the means by which people hear the gospel and are drawn by the Holy Spirit?
Would their focus on being hip and cool be an idol replacing the beauty and worth of the glorified Christ?
Would prayer be important?
Would they be seeker-sensitive in approach?

I was very, very suprised and blown away by how all my fears were answered!

Gospel: They preached and went over the top in emphasizing the substitutionary nature of the atonement, that people were disgusting, vile sinners who are worse than they first imagined...that God is a God of wrath from whom justice will be eternally served upon the damned...that God is a God of love who is seeking to save that which is lost.
Scripture: They taught that the scripture is the authoritative, and yes, even Innerant word of God that is to be taught with passion and power. Each session lasted over an hour..and most sessions were preaching. Incidentally, the pastor of Mars Hill, the host church, preaches over an hour each Sunday morning...to postmodern types!
Truth: I heard more truth at this conference than I've heard at Southern Baptist Meetings. Uncompromised, bold, well-thought out, intensive, passionate, comprehensive. I discovered that there are many, many believers out there that call themselves by other denominational titles that are uncompromising in their teaching of the essential core doctrines of our faith.
Preaching: Wow! "If you think that preaching doesn't work then you either don't believe the Word or you're not good at it!"
Idolatry: They were not narcissistic, self-promoting, look-at-how-cool-we-are in presentation. Instead, they were very much centered on Jesus - His beauty, worth and glory!
Prayer: The host pastor after introducing each guest speaker would stop and pray for the man prior to his preaching. On one occasion we had an open time of congregational prayer for a couple of inner-city church planters. It went on for about 15 minutes or more. Prayer was modeled and taught as vital.
Seeker-sensitive: Yes, that is, if you're considering God to be the Seeker.

I went away encouraged and filled with hope! Encouraged that there are so many godly people committed to contending for the faith once for all delivered to the saints even as they seek to become all things to all men so that some may be saved.

How Can You Tell If You Love Someone?

2006-05-02T15:15:00.000-05:00

"Beloved", John writes in 1 John 4:7.

Beloved? What is that?

Well, it's God's view of you. You are one that is in a position of being loved by the Creator and Sustainer of all things. You are a Beloved one.

"But wait," you might say. Isn't that a term used for Jesus?

Sure! Perhaps you'll remember, at Jesus' baptism (Mt.3:17) and at the transfiguration (Mt.17:5, cf.,2 Peter 1:17) the Father spoke out of the heavens and said, "This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him."

How specially loved must be Jesus to the Father! And how did the Father choose to express His love for Jesus? "Beloved"!

Do you hear it? The Father is calling you by the same thing He calls His Son: "Beloved"!

But the chain doesn't end there.

Because of your great privilege as a Beloved one...you are to consider other brothers and sisters in the Lord as Beloved ones. John writes, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11).

So, what are some tell-tale signs that you're loving someone? Maybe the following items are indicators:

When pierced...your prayer to the Father is for the offender's blessing
When mocked...you ask the Father to forgive the offender
When wronged...you seek to do good to those who've despitefully used you
When maligned...you pray for those who've treated you unfairly

Maybe the question should be reversed. When can I tell that I don't love someone? Maybe the following are some tell-tale signs:

You delight in another's pain
You secretly wish for the embarrasment or hurt of another
You rejoice when another person is in trouble
You take pride in correction...correcting others, that is
You swish the tasty morsel of gossip around your mouth treasuring it's flavor
You seek to make someone else look less....
Less godly
Less wise
Less important
Less socially with it
Less understanding
Less...you get the picture...

The Father loves you.
Jesus loves you.
The fruit of the Spirit is...love....

Do you love?

Is The Name of Jesus REALLY Necessary?

2006-03-03T18:56:00.001-06:00

So I was in a Pastoral Care and Counseling class at NOBTS when the professor asked a question, and I paraphrase:If people in distant lands have never heard the name of Jesus and His gospel will they go to hell when they die? He allowed us to give our opinions.

"Of course, they would go to hell," was the prevailing opinion.Not so fast, he quipped, how can you say that when God saved people out of the Old Testament times who'd never heard the name of Jesus and His gospel.He continued, The Old Testament saints looked forward to the time of the Messiah but never heard the name of Jesus or understood His gospel, and yet, because they had responded appropriately to the light that had been given them their sins were taken care of at the cross.

So, I ask, what of other people in other lands who've never heard the name of Jesus or a clear gospel message? If they believe in a higher being according to the limited light of nature ("natural revelation", as some might call it) will God go ahead and take them to heaven when they die...even if they've never heard the name of Jesus and His gospel?

The rationale used to believe that "heathen pagans" who've never heard the gospel or the name of Jesus could still be saved is based, at least in part, on Romans 1:18-20. But context reveals that this interpretation is inaccurate. Note the following points:

The point of 1:18-2:1 is that no one is without excuse. Far from teaching that someone can go to heaven by responding only to natural revelation Paul is actually driving home the opposite argument that all are condemned unless they hear and respond to the gospel. People who read more into the text are doing just that...reading into the text their bias.
Chapter 1:16-17, which obviously immediately precedes the aforementioned passage specifically states very clearly that it is the gospel itself that "is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek..."
Notice the inclusiveness..."the Jew...the Greek". That's everyone in the world.
Notice the narrow parameters: "for everyone". That's a personal need issue...to hear the gospel and to respond to it.
The wider context of other passages in the New Testament.

Consider the following:

What's the point of the Great Commission if people have a chance to respond savingly to natural revelation? Why, anyone could pray to any concept of any god and believe as much as they possibly can...and the blood of Christ would cover them because of their sincere response to the limited light they had? If that's the case, why is Jesus so direct in commanding His followers to go?
What about Romans 10:17 which says that saving faith only comes from hearing the word of God? The context here, once again, is showing that people, specifically Israel in this passage, are responsible and without excuse. In Israel's case they did very much have the word of God...but rejected it (v.16). And, they not only rebelled against the specific word of God given through the prophets...they also rebelled against the witness of nature. They are doubly responsible in other words.
I'll save the best for last: What about Romans 10:13-15a, which specifically says that salvation comes to the one that "calls on the name of the Lord..." (Only...only those who call on His name!)

The Romans 10:13-15a passage goes on through a quick progression of thought, which is as follows:

All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved v.13
But how will they call on Him if they don't believe? v.14
And how will they believe if they haven't heard? v.14
And how will they hear if they are without someone to tell them? v.14
And how will a messenger go to those who haven't heard unless they're sent? v.15

Thus, the missionary cry. Souls!

One weak argument that some will use on the other side goes something like this: Well, if a person dies without ever having heard the name of Jesus and His gospel...God will do what is right...after all, He is a just God.

Yep! God is just! But that's not the argument you want to make if you disagree with my point of view. You certainly don't want your default position to be the justice of God. God's justice demands that sinners receive their just punishment. The Father took great pleasure in crushing His Son and in putting Him to grief because of sin (Isaiah 53:10). He doesn't take pleasure in the death of the wicked...but He surely did in the death of His beloved Son. Why? Because Jesus made provision for salvation for all those who would call on His name.

God meeted out His justice upon His own Son for all those who are in Christ.
Who are those who are in Christ? "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name." (John 1:12)
You've got to hear the name of Jesus and believe His gospel to be saved.

2006-02-27T08:50:00.000-06:00

So, is the gospel for the lost...only? Is our main focus to be primarily on the lost? What is to be our center-focus...the lost or the Christ who saves the lost? And what do we "win" people to?

It seems to me that it is human nature to be "either / or" in focus and priority. In all this talk about becoming Missional, church members are labeled negatively as "club-members". This is as opposed to Missional members...those whose focus is on those outside.

Perhaps a more biblically accurate approach would be like the one proposed to Timothy by Paul. In the context of much instruction concerning the priority of leading the Bride of Christ into health and maturity he adds this instruction in 2 Tim. 4:5, " ...do the work of an evangelist."
Church health must be a priority. "Preach the word", Paul instructed, for the maturity of the church...but also, "do the work of an evangelist."

Thankfully, we have Rick’s vision of both maturing the church as well as reaching out to the lost. It’s both/and, not either/or in priority. We are to seek to build up and equip the Saints as well as reach out to lost Souls. One doesn’t have greater merit than the other. It is not a waste of time to pray with the Saints, to meet the needs of hurting Saints, to focus on binding up the wounds of the Saints, to live in Community and love on the Saints. Time spent on...and with the Saints should not be viewed as secondary. After all, the passion of Jesus as seen in the Bride/Groom picture in Ephesians 6 is for His Bride's health, purity and preparation for the great Wedding Celebration. We should seek to make the Bride so beautiful that she is attractive to those perishing. She should be something that the lost wish to be a part of.

Building up the Saints is not only to the end that they reach out...rather, it is to the end that as they reach up - pressing into Jesus and seeking His glory that they also reach out to bring others with them.

What follows is a link for the whole article by Tom Ascoll, from which I lift the subsequent quote:

http://www.founders.org/blog/
"But, if I could design the future of the SBC, I would make it Christ exalting and Gospel saturated in every expression of its existence. I know that everyone who would dare to offer an opinion on this kind of speculation would say the same, or least not deny what I have said. I am not suggesting otherwise. Rather, what I am saying is that I believe we desperately need to get back to the centrality of the Gospel in our churches and relationships. The Gospel is not merely for unbelievers. It is for the church, as well. We do not merely enter into the kingdom by the Gospel, we live in that kingdom the same way. Every relationship, every responsibility, every challenge and choice is to be rooted in the Gospel of God's grace. [emphasis italicized mine]

Local churches would be given to orderly membership and conduct. Both formative and corrective discipline would be practiced. Our message of salvation would be backed up by congregations that are characterized by the grace that we profess and preach. The priority of the local church in the kingdom purposes of God would be recognized and honored."

Since we're talking about cooperation...

2006-01-31T23:15:00.000-06:00

What about it? Are there parameters...guidelines that will help us determine as a church who we'll cooperate with for kingdom efforts? Should there be guidelines?

I welcome your response to the following:

Cooperation under the Old Covenant

Israel was to be separate from foriegn nations
False prophets were railed upon...not cooperated with...even those who were prophesying in the name of Yahweh.

Cooperation under the New Covenant:

Perhaps Jesus' strongest rebukes were directed at the religious leaders of the day who refused to believe in Him as the way, the truth and the life.
Instead of joining up with the religious establishment in order to go mainstream...Jesus went counter to the entire, corrupt lot of them.
Paul called Judaizers dogs. (people who were teaching that one had to adhere to certain Old Covenant laws in order to be saved)
Paul said to come out and be separate from unbelievers...and certainly he meant more than just unequal yoking in marriage
Paul railed against those who added works to grace as a prerequisite for salvation
Paul railed against those who added or distorted scripture
Peter and Jude railed against false teachers who were misusing the grace of God

So what of us? For the sake of cooperation and unity and community involvement and evangelism...should we go against the flow of the pattern of the godly leaders in scripture, including Jesus, and join up with those institutions, denominations, etc...who name the name of Jesus but are teaching error on one or more essential doctrines?

What are the lines of ecclesiastical separation? Are there any?

Should an evangelical, bible believing church that believes rightly on the essentials of the faith link up with say a Catholic or Lutheran church, for instance, for evangelistic purposes...even though both institutions teach justification by baptism?

What are the lines of ecclesiastical separation? Again...are there any?

What about those institutions that are radically Charismatic...teaching health and wealth and a prayer hanky for the right price? Should we join with them for kingdom purposes? Just asking.

What are the lines of ecclesiastical separation? Are there any?

I grew up in a fundamentalist, independant Baptist church. Gosh, they separated from other churches for good things....and a lot of really stupid things. Some of the more stupid reasons are as follows:

Appearance - if a church didn't teach short hair for men, long dresses for women...it was a church to avoid at all costs
Style - if a church didn't limit it's music style to hymns and classical music...it was a church that was definately liberal and needed to be avoided
Non-essential doctrines - mode of baptism; what one believed about sign gifts (healing, tongues, etc.); eschatology...and the list goes on.

I'm not talking about stupid separation...that's worn as a prideful badge of honor. I'm referring to what seems to be a clearly biblical concept.

So I ask one more time: What are the lines of ecclesiastical separation? Are there any?

Free Will?

2006-01-24T16:39:00.000-06:00

Generate

Before the Fall:

1. Humans had the built in, innate ability to choose to continue in their innocence...or to disobey.
2. Humans pleased God with their continual free choice to obey...until they freely chose not to obey.

After the Fall:

1. The Fall changed the free will dynamic.
2. The result of Adam and Eve's choice to sin was the loss of innocence...and the loss of spiritual life.
3. The first thing Adam and Eve freely chose to do after the Fall was to run from God and hide. God had to come looking for them.
4. In the context of God's giving out the Curse...He also provided a hint at a provision that was coming someday...a provision that would be initiated by the Creator (Gen.3:15).
5. One of the net effects of the giving of the Law of God to Israel was to make clear that humans are incapable of pleasing their way back into favor with God...by their own free choice. Humans proved themselves failures in the light of God's law. Even those who by their free choice decided to follow it (Ex.19:3-8) ended up totally failing.
6. The Old Testament could be read, one might argue, both as a display of the failure of humans as they consistently and freely chose to change, forget, distort and disobey God's Law... and it could be read as the story of the continually unfolding - from veiled hint to reality - God's free choice to pursue humanity with a view to redemption.
7. In the New Testament we see Jesus as the fulfillment of all that had been hinted at and prophesied about in the Old Testament. God was indeed the One who came to "seek and save the lost."

So what about Free Will in the modern context?
1. Humans are spiritually dead...that is, our Free Choices even are rooted in selfishness and pride.
2. Humans left to themselves will, like Adam and Eve, continually run from a holy God (Rom.1).
3. Humans must be awakened to the truth of the gospel by the work of the Holy Spirit by means of the hearing of the Word of God.
4. Humans are called upon to make a free choice to follow Jesus...and, if they so choose to believe and follow Him - becoming His disciple -they subsequently find out that it was "not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" (Rom.9:16) and that even their repentance and faith are a gift from God so they can never boast (Eph.2:8-9).

What follows is a quote from the Holman Christian Standard Bible: Everyone Can Receive the Gift - New Testament:

"Why Me? Why Now? How God draws you to Himself
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him." John 6:44

"Calling your conversion experience a decision for Christ doesn't begin to convey the truth of the matter. Yes, you made a decision based on your own free will. Yes, you were perfectly free to make a different choice than you did. But look at the whole thing on balance-from God's perspective-and suddenly your decision to follow Jesus looks a lot less like a bold move on your part and a lot more like a stunning victory on His part. He fashioned everything there is about you in His own mind. He set you in a particular time and place. He's been carefully arranging people, situations, and events in your life, waving His arms in front of your face, pleading with you to look back, to see the cross, to know the love that paid every last dime on your escalating debt of sins, to experience more freedom and joy and peace and contentment than you ever thought possible. Looks like your hardest decision was trying to say no all this time."

Should you desire more thought provoking reading on this subject please consider looking up the link on Pastor Rick's blog www.roadwetravel.blogspot.com or check out the following article by Martin Luther at the following link: http://www.reformedreader.org/bow.htm

Look forward to your insights or comments that you make by your own free choice. :)

Longing

2006-01-11T23:48:00.000-06:00

Generate

What do you find yourself longing for?

I had a conversation today with someone about longing for heaven while still being rooted on the earth.

A few questions:

Why do we long for heaven most when things get tough?

Is it possible to have that same longing...even when things are going well?

Is it a lie to say we long for Jesus...yet find such pleasure in earthly things?

Is it possible to passionately long for heaven and yet intensely enjoy God's good gifts here?

Is it possible, as Piper talks about, to see each earthly pleasure as something that points to the worth and value of Christ?

Just thought I'd ask.

James

Welcome to my blog

2006-01-10T13:52:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my blog spot.

I intend to use this site to serve the following purposes:

Keep you informed about issues related to generate (activities; service and outreach opportunities).
Provide a forum where we can sharpen each other in what we believe and how we live it out.

Of course, as the potentate of this little cyber-island I may choose to talk about other things as well.

Thanks for stopping by. Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Welcome!

James Hunt