What are your greatest grievances against the church? I mean, when you think of the ways that believers fall short of their calling, which shortcomings come to mind?
Do they sin too much? Do they love this world too much? Do they like sports, money or entertainment more than they should? Are they unfaithful in their prayer lives? That’s a big complaint that I hear in church circles. At least once a year, someone will take the stage and say, “We need to pray more people!” Does this phrase sound familiar? “Christians need to get out of the pews and get busy about the great commission.” Does the church serve its community or the world as well as you think it should? Are we evangelical enough? Are we combating aids, child poverty, spousal abuse or drug abuse like we should?
As much emphasis as we place in out Christian community on The Word, prayer, worship, outreach and evangelism, I often question how important these really are. I have a test for you. It’s a very simple test. Complete the following sentence.
Anyone who doesn’t __________ enough, does not deserve to call himself a Christian.
1) Pray
2) Witness
3) Read the Bible
4) Help those in need
What do you think? Some of you already know that I’m being intentionally tricky. There are only a few things that I have found which call for us to hand in our Christian badge. We can’t drink blood. We can’t eat food that we know has been offered to other gods. We can’t continue to intentionally live in sexual immorality and we can’t eat strangulated animals. I would also add murder. If you murder people on an ongoing basis and you aren’t willing to stop, I’m really not comfortable sitting with you on Sunday mornings.
There is at least one other area, that when we fall short, calls our faith into question.
1 Timothy 5:8 (New Living Translation)
8 But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.
I always encourage you to read more than just the tidbits that I post here. In this passage, Paul is speaking to Timothy, telling him that widows should be cared for by their children or grandchildren if they have any. Paul has some serious words, basically saying, “If anyone refuses to provide for their own family, they don’t deserve to call themselves a Christian.”
I’m nearing the end of my Bible again. I’ve been through it a few times, at least four, and I don’t recall such words for any other area of our walk.
Does it happen? Are there people who fail to look after their own ailing parents? Are there parents who seem to find money to support their own personal habit, but don’t have enough to pay the rent or buy baby formula? I’ve seen it in the world. I hope it doesn’t happen in our homes. Is it more common in homes where mom and dad have split up? I have someone in mind at the moment and I don’t think he read this. Apparently, dad always had money to spend on his snowmobile, but never had enough to help support his children. I’ve heard of a mom who spent her son’s university tuition on her own entertainment. Are there children who would let their parents starve? Oh I hope not.
I’m not without sin myself, so I won’t call down fire on anyone. It isn’t like this is a new law, but the principle at work here has little to do with the law, but more of love. When we can’t even care for the people in our immediate family, it isn’t that we have broken a law, but rather, we have denied the faith. Our actions have demonstrated that we really don’t believe in or have any intention of following Jesus.
I’ve never asked you to be evangelists, prayer warriors or Bible scholars. I hope that I do call you consistently to be the dad, the mom, the son or the daughter that you need to be.
My kids are fed and my wife has enough clothing to keep her warm, but I can be very selfish at times. My parents are able to look after themselves at the moment. I just pray that if the day ever comes when I need to be more for the people in my household that I’ll be man enough.
If you are part of my family, I want to go on record by saying that you have been everything to me that I have expected you to be. You have not let me down. So if you lie awake at nights because you don’t feel like you visit often enough, I hope I have set your conscience at ease. If I have failed you, you have to let me know, because I really don’t have a clue.
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Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Odd
I often have a difficult time in putting a name to some of the benefits of being a believer. I mean, it’s not like our troubles go away. We still get sick. We still get cancer. We still eventually die from something. We still have bills to pay. The chances are pretty good that I’ll forget this a year from now, but this evening I have been reminded of one of the greatest privileges of having come to Christ.
“Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God.” Hebrews 9:14
When I recall the days of my life before Jesus, there was a strange paradox at work. On one hand, if you were to ask me whether or not I considered myself to be a good person, I would answer in all honesty that I thought I was indeed a good person. The paradox was this – Even though I considered myself to be better than the bulk of mankind, there were so many things that weighed down my conscience. They were things, thoughts, and actions that I was ashamed of.
I now live out a different paradox in Christ. Now that I have acknowledged that I’m a sinner, and received the pardon offered to me by the blood of Christ, my conscience has been cleared. How weird is that? Doesn’t that sound backwards?
Why would a person who thinks they are a good person have a defiled conscience, while the one who calls his sin as sin lives a life of liberation? Is that the way it always is? If you remember your life before Christ, has your experience been similar? If you currently walk without Christ, are there things in your past that crop up to plague you from time to time?
It isn’t that I'm without regrets. I have a few. What has changed is this – the shame is gone. It has been revealed, it has been labeled as vile and nailed to the only place that has the power to cleanse it; the cross of Christ.
“Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God.” Hebrews 9:14
When I recall the days of my life before Jesus, there was a strange paradox at work. On one hand, if you were to ask me whether or not I considered myself to be a good person, I would answer in all honesty that I thought I was indeed a good person. The paradox was this – Even though I considered myself to be better than the bulk of mankind, there were so many things that weighed down my conscience. They were things, thoughts, and actions that I was ashamed of.
I now live out a different paradox in Christ. Now that I have acknowledged that I’m a sinner, and received the pardon offered to me by the blood of Christ, my conscience has been cleared. How weird is that? Doesn’t that sound backwards?
Why would a person who thinks they are a good person have a defiled conscience, while the one who calls his sin as sin lives a life of liberation? Is that the way it always is? If you remember your life before Christ, has your experience been similar? If you currently walk without Christ, are there things in your past that crop up to plague you from time to time?
It isn’t that I'm without regrets. I have a few. What has changed is this – the shame is gone. It has been revealed, it has been labeled as vile and nailed to the only place that has the power to cleanse it; the cross of Christ.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Once Saved Always Saved.
I spend very little time trying to sort out theology. I often wonder if this is an area where many believers find that I just don’t ‘do it for them’. Not that I care. Well, I care a little. There are many issues of theology where I don’t even pretend to have found the answer.
The question in the forefront of my mind this afternoon is one of those unsettled matters of doctrine. What do you think about the following phrase;
‘Once you are saved, you are always saved.’
I don’t know about you, but I find that the Bible doesn’t always speak in the same terms that we do. For example, you don’t come across the word, ‘missionary’ very often in the Scriptural text do you? The only place I've seen the word is in the man made headings. We think of church in different terms than the way in which it is spoken of in the Bible. Neither will you read a verse which says, ‘Once you are saved, you can’t lose your salvation’.
As believing humans, there is this tendency to divide ourselves into camps over issues that are not clearly outlined in The Word. We’ll gather proof texts in order to defend our case, intentionally neglecting anything that seems to speak to the contrary of our stand.
I’m currently a part of a body of believers who have the tradition of holding to the doctrine which says that once you are saved, you can’t lose your salvation. Many great believing thinkers take this stand, and I’ve heard some really great teachings from some of them. I just don’t think that The Bible is that clear on the issue.
I am reading through Hebrews at the moment and this afternoon I have revisited Hebrews 6:4-6.
4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
We’re told that when a person has been enlightened and shared in the Holy Spirit, if they turn away from God, that it’s impossible to bring them back to repentance again. Depending on your stand, you might point out that this passage isn’t referring to people who have really been saved in the first place; that these weren’t people who had received the Spirit, but who had merely tasted Him.
You might be right. I have a question for you. How do you know the difference between having a taste of His Spirit, verses having received Him? This passage doesn’t speak in our terms does it? It doesn’t say if these people were ‘saved’ in the first place. How do you measure whether or not a person has turned away from God? Is it the same as giving up on church? Did the believers in the New Testament ever go to church in the way that we go to church?
I had a friend tell me a few months ago that he wasn’t sure whether or not he believed any more. So I asked him the question, “Are you saying that you used to believe, but now you really don’t believe?” He answered by saying, “I’m not sure whether or not I ever really did believe in the first place.” That makes it simple right? Perhaps he never really believed in the first place so he was never saved to begin with. All we need to do is figure out who really is saved so that we can fill out their separation papers beforehand. So if this guy was never saved, does this passage in Hebrews even refer to him? If he was never saved to begin with, then why can’t he be brought to Jesus for the first time? Do you ever wonder if perhaps you are losing your faith?
If you like definitive answers to questions such as these, I’m not the one to give them to you. We do know that some people are described as having their faith shipwrecked, and Paul refers specifically to two such individuals in 1Timothy 1:19-20. How can you sink a ship that doesn’t exist? If they didn’t really believe in the first place, what kind of faith did they have? If they really did believe, then how could it be dashed on the rocks? Why doesn’t Paul tell us whether these two individuals really were or were not saved to begin with? That kind of commentary might be helpful, but how could he make that kind of assertion? Is Paul God? Does he know for sure who is and who is not saved? How many of us have the kind of insight into the lives of those around us? Do you know who is and who is not saved in order to make those kinds of solid declarations?
I do know a few things. I know that we can be assured of our own salvation. I do know that, whatever it means to have my faith, ‘shipwrecked’, I don’t want that happening to me. I also know that my salvation isn’t like my wallet or anything else that can be misplaced. I know that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. I also know that if there is a weak partner in the relationship, it’s us. I know that we can count on God to hold up His end of the relationship, even when we fail. I know that there is a difference between stumbling versus walking away from the faith – even though I can’t always tell where to find the line between them. Our inheritance as His children isn’t like an investment that can go sour, a car that will rust, an opinion that can be changed or a shirt that can get dirty. (1Peter 1:40)
As far as church circles go, I believe that people should be allowed to walk away. It’s not like we should just let people go without caring enough to ask why, but if that’s what they really want, I don’t think that they should be bullied or pressured. I talked to a man a month ago who said that when he grew up to be a teenager, he didn’t want to go to church anymore. His father threatened to beat him within an inch of his life if he refused to go. That’s just completely wrong.
In spite of the fact that I don’t have all of the answers, I take great comfort in the fact that I can completely rely on God to do what He has promised for those who continue to trust in Him. “...we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” (Hebrews 6:18-19) Our trust is misplaced if it lies merely in the hands of doctrine, teaching or theology. Our trust rests completely on the finished work of Jesus on the cross at Calvary. I hope that you have found your refuge in Him, and that you remain in His loving care. I hope that you continue to trust Him.
The question in the forefront of my mind this afternoon is one of those unsettled matters of doctrine. What do you think about the following phrase;
‘Once you are saved, you are always saved.’
I don’t know about you, but I find that the Bible doesn’t always speak in the same terms that we do. For example, you don’t come across the word, ‘missionary’ very often in the Scriptural text do you? The only place I've seen the word is in the man made headings. We think of church in different terms than the way in which it is spoken of in the Bible. Neither will you read a verse which says, ‘Once you are saved, you can’t lose your salvation’.
As believing humans, there is this tendency to divide ourselves into camps over issues that are not clearly outlined in The Word. We’ll gather proof texts in order to defend our case, intentionally neglecting anything that seems to speak to the contrary of our stand.
I’m currently a part of a body of believers who have the tradition of holding to the doctrine which says that once you are saved, you can’t lose your salvation. Many great believing thinkers take this stand, and I’ve heard some really great teachings from some of them. I just don’t think that The Bible is that clear on the issue.
I am reading through Hebrews at the moment and this afternoon I have revisited Hebrews 6:4-6.
4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
We’re told that when a person has been enlightened and shared in the Holy Spirit, if they turn away from God, that it’s impossible to bring them back to repentance again. Depending on your stand, you might point out that this passage isn’t referring to people who have really been saved in the first place; that these weren’t people who had received the Spirit, but who had merely tasted Him.
You might be right. I have a question for you. How do you know the difference between having a taste of His Spirit, verses having received Him? This passage doesn’t speak in our terms does it? It doesn’t say if these people were ‘saved’ in the first place. How do you measure whether or not a person has turned away from God? Is it the same as giving up on church? Did the believers in the New Testament ever go to church in the way that we go to church?
I had a friend tell me a few months ago that he wasn’t sure whether or not he believed any more. So I asked him the question, “Are you saying that you used to believe, but now you really don’t believe?” He answered by saying, “I’m not sure whether or not I ever really did believe in the first place.” That makes it simple right? Perhaps he never really believed in the first place so he was never saved to begin with. All we need to do is figure out who really is saved so that we can fill out their separation papers beforehand. So if this guy was never saved, does this passage in Hebrews even refer to him? If he was never saved to begin with, then why can’t he be brought to Jesus for the first time? Do you ever wonder if perhaps you are losing your faith?
If you like definitive answers to questions such as these, I’m not the one to give them to you. We do know that some people are described as having their faith shipwrecked, and Paul refers specifically to two such individuals in 1Timothy 1:19-20. How can you sink a ship that doesn’t exist? If they didn’t really believe in the first place, what kind of faith did they have? If they really did believe, then how could it be dashed on the rocks? Why doesn’t Paul tell us whether these two individuals really were or were not saved to begin with? That kind of commentary might be helpful, but how could he make that kind of assertion? Is Paul God? Does he know for sure who is and who is not saved? How many of us have the kind of insight into the lives of those around us? Do you know who is and who is not saved in order to make those kinds of solid declarations?
I do know a few things. I know that we can be assured of our own salvation. I do know that, whatever it means to have my faith, ‘shipwrecked’, I don’t want that happening to me. I also know that my salvation isn’t like my wallet or anything else that can be misplaced. I know that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. I also know that if there is a weak partner in the relationship, it’s us. I know that we can count on God to hold up His end of the relationship, even when we fail. I know that there is a difference between stumbling versus walking away from the faith – even though I can’t always tell where to find the line between them. Our inheritance as His children isn’t like an investment that can go sour, a car that will rust, an opinion that can be changed or a shirt that can get dirty. (1Peter 1:40)
As far as church circles go, I believe that people should be allowed to walk away. It’s not like we should just let people go without caring enough to ask why, but if that’s what they really want, I don’t think that they should be bullied or pressured. I talked to a man a month ago who said that when he grew up to be a teenager, he didn’t want to go to church anymore. His father threatened to beat him within an inch of his life if he refused to go. That’s just completely wrong.
In spite of the fact that I don’t have all of the answers, I take great comfort in the fact that I can completely rely on God to do what He has promised for those who continue to trust in Him. “...we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” (Hebrews 6:18-19) Our trust is misplaced if it lies merely in the hands of doctrine, teaching or theology. Our trust rests completely on the finished work of Jesus on the cross at Calvary. I hope that you have found your refuge in Him, and that you remain in His loving care. I hope that you continue to trust Him.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What I Want for Christmas.
Just in case you haven’t purchased my Christmas present yet, I thought I’d give you an idea as you head out for these last two precious days of shopping.
I have a friend whose son Jesse has Burkitt's Leukemia. My friend's name is Pete and I believe that he only gets a few days off of work for Christmas, which makes these few days all the more precious. At the moment, Jesse is in the hospital with a fever. I’m not here to play on your heart’s strings, but I would like very much if this young man could be well enough to spend Christmas at home with his family. Mom and dad have both been sick and it looks like the rest of their kids are taking ill as well. Please pray that each of them will be well enough to enjoy this time together.
They are a family who love the Lord and who continue to praise Him no matter what hand they are dealt in life.
Please pray. Don't worry about getting me anything else. I'm sure my wife has that well in hand.
I have a friend whose son Jesse has Burkitt's Leukemia. My friend's name is Pete and I believe that he only gets a few days off of work for Christmas, which makes these few days all the more precious. At the moment, Jesse is in the hospital with a fever. I’m not here to play on your heart’s strings, but I would like very much if this young man could be well enough to spend Christmas at home with his family. Mom and dad have both been sick and it looks like the rest of their kids are taking ill as well. Please pray that each of them will be well enough to enjoy this time together.
They are a family who love the Lord and who continue to praise Him no matter what hand they are dealt in life.
Please pray. Don't worry about getting me anything else. I'm sure my wife has that well in hand.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
My Goal
I’ve just finished the first round of editing my second book. I often wonder how this sort of thing works for real authors. When they finish a book, do they have a sense of accomplishment? Do they tend to have any kind of assurance that the piece they have written will actually help anyone? When they pen their final words, do they look at their creation and say, “Wow. I can’t believe how profound my words are. Some of these statements are bound to end up on Facebook Status updates all over the world!”?
Whenever I write anything, I ask myself these questions;
“Why do I bother?”
“Does this actually help anyone?”
“Aren’t there people out there who have spoken much more eloquently on the topic? And wouldn’t my time be better spent finding out who that is and directing others towards their work?”
“Will it offend anyone unnecessarily?” (In my opinion, there is such a thing as necessary offense.)
There are many elements to my writings which I know are deficient. I know that I’m not well studied. This is one of the reasons why I consistently ask why I should bother. I do read the Bible, if that counts for anything.
I never planned on living the kind of faith that I have. In fact, I have walked through most of my life without a plan at all. I have resolved to do one thing – I live my days in the hopes that I will be used of God to point others towards Christ. I long to hear only one thing from my Father when I come before the throne; “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Other than that, in earthly terms I really haven’t had any tangible goals. I’m not trying to say that this has been a matter of faith. Some believers really are goal focused individuals and God may even use such people more effectively than He intends for me. There is however one thing that I can point to as being a specific measureable goal as I live out my calling. It might sound silly to you.
Years ago, when I began writing e-mails to the youth in our church, I had wanted to have one person reading my letters for every year of my life. In other words, when I was thirty, my goal was to have thirty people who wanted to receive my e-mails. Now that I write in blog form, I hope that when I’m 40, that there will be forty people who enjoy hearing my thoughts.
Does that sound odd? Does it sound small? As much as I enjoy speaking publicly, and as much as I enjoyed that one time on TV, I have never wanted my ministry grow beyond a place where I am able to connect with those who take the time to hear my thoughts. It’s the same reason why I don’t place much value in what John MacArthur, Charles Stanley or Mark Driscoll have to say. I do however place a great deal of value in what Michael Krahn, Bill Coleman and Arthur Cairncross have to say. I value their input into my life, because when I need them, they are the ones who care. They are the ones who pray. Our Christian celebrities really don’t know whether I live or die.
Thank you for walking with me. I hope that you have a happy Christmas. I look forward to seeing many of you within the next few weeks. For the few of you who live outside of Canada, I pray that the comfort of the Holy Spirit rests with you as He does with all who belong to Him.
God Bless;
Kevin
Whenever I write anything, I ask myself these questions;
“Why do I bother?”
“Does this actually help anyone?”
“Aren’t there people out there who have spoken much more eloquently on the topic? And wouldn’t my time be better spent finding out who that is and directing others towards their work?”
“Will it offend anyone unnecessarily?” (In my opinion, there is such a thing as necessary offense.)
There are many elements to my writings which I know are deficient. I know that I’m not well studied. This is one of the reasons why I consistently ask why I should bother. I do read the Bible, if that counts for anything.
I never planned on living the kind of faith that I have. In fact, I have walked through most of my life without a plan at all. I have resolved to do one thing – I live my days in the hopes that I will be used of God to point others towards Christ. I long to hear only one thing from my Father when I come before the throne; “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Other than that, in earthly terms I really haven’t had any tangible goals. I’m not trying to say that this has been a matter of faith. Some believers really are goal focused individuals and God may even use such people more effectively than He intends for me. There is however one thing that I can point to as being a specific measureable goal as I live out my calling. It might sound silly to you.
Years ago, when I began writing e-mails to the youth in our church, I had wanted to have one person reading my letters for every year of my life. In other words, when I was thirty, my goal was to have thirty people who wanted to receive my e-mails. Now that I write in blog form, I hope that when I’m 40, that there will be forty people who enjoy hearing my thoughts.
Does that sound odd? Does it sound small? As much as I enjoy speaking publicly, and as much as I enjoyed that one time on TV, I have never wanted my ministry grow beyond a place where I am able to connect with those who take the time to hear my thoughts. It’s the same reason why I don’t place much value in what John MacArthur, Charles Stanley or Mark Driscoll have to say. I do however place a great deal of value in what Michael Krahn, Bill Coleman and Arthur Cairncross have to say. I value their input into my life, because when I need them, they are the ones who care. They are the ones who pray. Our Christian celebrities really don’t know whether I live or die.
Thank you for walking with me. I hope that you have a happy Christmas. I look forward to seeing many of you within the next few weeks. For the few of you who live outside of Canada, I pray that the comfort of the Holy Spirit rests with you as He does with all who belong to Him.
God Bless;
Kevin
Sunday, December 19, 2010
You Didn't Have To Thank Me
This morning I was talking with a good friend of mine. We were talking about how frustrating it can be sometimes when you reach out to someone, but the sentiments aren’t reciprocated. Have you ever called someone who failed to call you back? Have you ever invited someone over to dinner, but they never seemed to value you enough to invite you over to their home?
Most of the time, when we have given of ourselves and get very little in return, it’s in our instinct to carry feelings of frustration, and even resentment. As I write those words, I’m thinking of someone I know who I have heard say the following on more than one occasion.
“I feel like I just give and give and I never get anything back. Why do I bother? I think I’ll just live the rest of my life looking after my own interests.”
To be honest, I feel that way myself sometimes. Sometimes when I give a gift, I say that I don’t want anything in return, but something inside of me is hoping that I’ll get something back. I don’t know what it’s like in your life. The scenario might play itself out in your family life. You’ve reached out to your sibling, son or parent, but they don’t even return your calls or even want to come to your home. The only reason they visit you at Christmas is some obscure expression of guilt or obligation. How do you handle that?
Luke 14:12-14 (New Living Translation)
12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
The life that Jesus calls us to is a life that thinks and acts radically different than the way in which we have been programmed. He tells us, that if someone invites us back, that in a way, we’re actually worse off than if the favour had been reciprocated. We’re told that we’re better off to demonstrate kindness to people who won’t pay us back. He says it will be better for us, because God will reward us at the time of the resurrection.
He specifically tells us to look beyond our friends, brothers, relatives and neighbours and to put our energy into people who are unable to repay our kindness. I’m not quite there yet, but I have begun to be at peace when my kindness isn’t returned.
This past week I helped a friend of mine and they gave me a gift card in appreciation. I’m very thankful for the giftcard, but God says that I have already received my reward. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Most of the time, when we have given of ourselves and get very little in return, it’s in our instinct to carry feelings of frustration, and even resentment. As I write those words, I’m thinking of someone I know who I have heard say the following on more than one occasion.
“I feel like I just give and give and I never get anything back. Why do I bother? I think I’ll just live the rest of my life looking after my own interests.”
To be honest, I feel that way myself sometimes. Sometimes when I give a gift, I say that I don’t want anything in return, but something inside of me is hoping that I’ll get something back. I don’t know what it’s like in your life. The scenario might play itself out in your family life. You’ve reached out to your sibling, son or parent, but they don’t even return your calls or even want to come to your home. The only reason they visit you at Christmas is some obscure expression of guilt or obligation. How do you handle that?
Luke 14:12-14 (New Living Translation)
12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
The life that Jesus calls us to is a life that thinks and acts radically different than the way in which we have been programmed. He tells us, that if someone invites us back, that in a way, we’re actually worse off than if the favour had been reciprocated. We’re told that we’re better off to demonstrate kindness to people who won’t pay us back. He says it will be better for us, because God will reward us at the time of the resurrection.
He specifically tells us to look beyond our friends, brothers, relatives and neighbours and to put our energy into people who are unable to repay our kindness. I’m not quite there yet, but I have begun to be at peace when my kindness isn’t returned.
This past week I helped a friend of mine and they gave me a gift card in appreciation. I’m very thankful for the giftcard, but God says that I have already received my reward. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
I Dream a Dream
How often do you dream? Do you ever have dreams that keep coming back? I had one last night and I thought I’d share it with you, just in case you ever wonder what goes on inside my mind. There are at least three dreams that keep coming back to me. One has to do with our family sawmill. One has to do with the 1989 Ford Probe I used to own. One has to do with my time in university. This is the one that came last night.
It’s at least half way through the semester, if not near the end. Part way through the morning, I realize that I have missed my class. The truth is, I have been missing this particular class for most of the semester. My attendance has been so poor in fact that I have to look at my schedule to figure out where the room is. It happens to be my first class of the day, and most of the time I miss the class because I forget that I even have it.
The class in question is a math class. I know that the finals are coming and that it would be nearly impossible for me to come out with a passing grade. I always take comfort in knowing that I’ll have room in next semester’s schedule to make up for the lost credit. Whenever I look at the subject matter, the questions are far beyond my comprehension. Even though I likely won’t pass, I look at my time table and try to figure out where the class is, even though I know I’ll be walking in late. Sometimes I make it to the class and sometimes I do not. Last night I don’t think I made it to the class, but I did figure out that the class was in the MacKinnon building.
Maybe it’s just a weird dream, but I often wonder why it keeps coming back. I’ve never failed a course. I remember being in University and being told that it’s ok to drop a course before the deadline if it seems way too difficult. It’s better to make up the credit later than to have a failure or a poor grade drag down your average.
I never subscribed to that kind of thinking. In third year, I had a great deal of difficulty in my English course. I played with the idea of letting it go since it wasn’t part of my major, but something just seemed wrong about quitting something that I had started. So I struggled through and came out with a decent, but unimpressive mark at the end of it all. English always has been my most difficult subject. I suppose it’s rather strange that I have ended up spending so much time writing.
There you have it. If you can figure out what’s wrong with me, it would be greatly appreciated.
It’s at least half way through the semester, if not near the end. Part way through the morning, I realize that I have missed my class. The truth is, I have been missing this particular class for most of the semester. My attendance has been so poor in fact that I have to look at my schedule to figure out where the room is. It happens to be my first class of the day, and most of the time I miss the class because I forget that I even have it.
The class in question is a math class. I know that the finals are coming and that it would be nearly impossible for me to come out with a passing grade. I always take comfort in knowing that I’ll have room in next semester’s schedule to make up for the lost credit. Whenever I look at the subject matter, the questions are far beyond my comprehension. Even though I likely won’t pass, I look at my time table and try to figure out where the class is, even though I know I’ll be walking in late. Sometimes I make it to the class and sometimes I do not. Last night I don’t think I made it to the class, but I did figure out that the class was in the MacKinnon building.
Maybe it’s just a weird dream, but I often wonder why it keeps coming back. I’ve never failed a course. I remember being in University and being told that it’s ok to drop a course before the deadline if it seems way too difficult. It’s better to make up the credit later than to have a failure or a poor grade drag down your average.
I never subscribed to that kind of thinking. In third year, I had a great deal of difficulty in my English course. I played with the idea of letting it go since it wasn’t part of my major, but something just seemed wrong about quitting something that I had started. So I struggled through and came out with a decent, but unimpressive mark at the end of it all. English always has been my most difficult subject. I suppose it’s rather strange that I have ended up spending so much time writing.
There you have it. If you can figure out what’s wrong with me, it would be greatly appreciated.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Where Women Belong...
If you are a woman who works outside of the home, I have two things to say to you. The first is this – Gotcha. I gave it that title to try and bait you. It worked. The second thing that I want to say is sorry. It was rather slimy of me. If you are a woman who works outside of the home and if I gotcha, please let me know.
This was in my daily reading last night…..
Titus 2:4-5 (New Living Translation)
4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
It made me think of Rosie’s comments with regards to Kate Gosselin’s stint on Dancing with the Stars this past year.
Rosie was also surprised by the rise of Kate Gosselin, the TLC star who was recently booted from "Dancing with the Stars."
"Kate Gosselin is suddenly a celebrity. She's on 'Dancing with the Stars' with a new face and new teeth and her eight children are at home. I don't know, it's out of control," Rosie said.
It isn’t like Rosie O’Donnell is trying to uphold any traditional conservative Christian values, but don’t you ever notice or find it funny how someone in Rosie’s place would find fault like that? I probably shouldn’t be writing a blog like this. After all. I am a man. It’s bad form. Beyond that, Paul is telling Titus that the women should teach the women. So it would be out of line for me to even pretend to tell women how to be women. But wouldn’t that be fun?
Sure. I know all about the struggles of being a woman. Feel free to gag.
I’m not going to start on an old fashioned tirade on how a woman’s place in the home, but I will say, of all of the Godly women that I know, when I walk into their home, it’s in order. I don’t know how their homes got in order, but they did. Yes, I am thinking of some women who have jobs.
Sorry girls. I won’t bait you again. (Not this week anyway.)
For the record, my wife works more than I do.
This was in my daily reading last night…..
Titus 2:4-5 (New Living Translation)
4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
It made me think of Rosie’s comments with regards to Kate Gosselin’s stint on Dancing with the Stars this past year.
Rosie was also surprised by the rise of Kate Gosselin, the TLC star who was recently booted from "Dancing with the Stars."
"Kate Gosselin is suddenly a celebrity. She's on 'Dancing with the Stars' with a new face and new teeth and her eight children are at home. I don't know, it's out of control," Rosie said.
It isn’t like Rosie O’Donnell is trying to uphold any traditional conservative Christian values, but don’t you ever notice or find it funny how someone in Rosie’s place would find fault like that? I probably shouldn’t be writing a blog like this. After all. I am a man. It’s bad form. Beyond that, Paul is telling Titus that the women should teach the women. So it would be out of line for me to even pretend to tell women how to be women. But wouldn’t that be fun?
Sure. I know all about the struggles of being a woman. Feel free to gag.
I’m not going to start on an old fashioned tirade on how a woman’s place in the home, but I will say, of all of the Godly women that I know, when I walk into their home, it’s in order. I don’t know how their homes got in order, but they did. Yes, I am thinking of some women who have jobs.
Sorry girls. I won’t bait you again. (Not this week anyway.)
For the record, my wife works more than I do.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
It's All About Us
Every once in a while, someone in my church will have a need that I feel I can do something about. This past week provided one such opportunity. Within the Christian circles that I run, a great deal of emphasis is spent on being outward focused. A church with an outward focus is supposed to be (I think) primarily concerned with the needs of individuals outside of the church. I might have that wrong.
The way I think that looks would be like this – an outward minded believer’s primary ministry would focus on helping the poor outside of the church, finding the lost (obviously) outside of the church, or helping people with addictions outside of the church. If I’ve got this all wrong, please chastise me gently.
So when I recognize a need of a fellow believer and when I am compelled to do something about that need, I question whether or not ‘it counts’. When we’re led in our hearts to act compassionately towards those within our own body of believers, is it possibly an outpouring of the Holy Spirit through our lives, or is it just another mode of self service?
What are the distinguishing characteristics of a Holy Spirit filled Christian? (Not that there are any other kinds of Christians.) Is it a life of street ministry? Is it the individual who focuses on meeting the needs of single moms? Is mission work in the developing world the hallmark of a genuine Christian? Maybe I’m misinterpreting the words of Jesus, but it isn’t our work around the globe or our involvement in the community that identifies us as the people of Christ.
John 13:35 (New International Version, ©2010)
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The way that we love each other, as fellow believers is that very quality which identifies us as having been made right with The Father through Christ The Son. Much of the ministry that I see in the life of the early church could be considered to be what many people might think of as having an inward focus. Many Christians in the early church were extremely generous financially; even selling property and giving it to the Apostles. As far as I can tell, much of it went to help individuals within the community of faith. With what little I have before me, the early church was a community of individuals who cared for each other’s welfare as if they were a big family. Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35 Most of the work outside of the church had to do with the Apostles publicly testifying to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and performing miracles in His name.
Perhaps the clearest example of compassionate/provisional ministry is shown to us in Paul’s letter to Timothy. 1Timothy 5:3-16 Caring for the true widows of the church was one of the primary concerns of the early church and we not only see this through Paul’s direction to Timothy, but we see it in action from the pages of Acts 6. In what we might refer to as the early church’s first ministry program, 7 men were chosen to oversee the daily distribution of food to the widows of the church.
I don’t even pretend to know what a church should look like. If I had a church, you could guarantee that it wouldn’t get the bulk of its ministerial direction from me. I’m not advocating the kind of faith that willfully and blindly allows non-believers to rot in hell. Neither am I advocating that a church should base its ‘music program’ on playing only the style of music that its tried and true members want to hear. What I am trying to say is this;
It’s ok to love each other.
In fact, I’d personally go a little farther than that. If your brother is suffering from a bout of December depression and he messages you asking to get together soon, it’s ok to opt out of the Friday night street evangelism. In my opinion (and yes, it is only an opinion), part of the attraction to the early Church was the way the believers cared for each other, not for their involvement en masse into the community.
You aren’t allowed to use this as a manual for planning your church’s outreach program, but if we aren’t a people who love each other, if we aren’t a people who help each other, if we aren’t there for each other when we’re needed, why would anyone want to be a believer anyway?
That’ll be five cents please. That’s about what it’s worth.
The way I think that looks would be like this – an outward minded believer’s primary ministry would focus on helping the poor outside of the church, finding the lost (obviously) outside of the church, or helping people with addictions outside of the church. If I’ve got this all wrong, please chastise me gently.
So when I recognize a need of a fellow believer and when I am compelled to do something about that need, I question whether or not ‘it counts’. When we’re led in our hearts to act compassionately towards those within our own body of believers, is it possibly an outpouring of the Holy Spirit through our lives, or is it just another mode of self service?
What are the distinguishing characteristics of a Holy Spirit filled Christian? (Not that there are any other kinds of Christians.) Is it a life of street ministry? Is it the individual who focuses on meeting the needs of single moms? Is mission work in the developing world the hallmark of a genuine Christian? Maybe I’m misinterpreting the words of Jesus, but it isn’t our work around the globe or our involvement in the community that identifies us as the people of Christ.
John 13:35 (New International Version, ©2010)
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The way that we love each other, as fellow believers is that very quality which identifies us as having been made right with The Father through Christ The Son. Much of the ministry that I see in the life of the early church could be considered to be what many people might think of as having an inward focus. Many Christians in the early church were extremely generous financially; even selling property and giving it to the Apostles. As far as I can tell, much of it went to help individuals within the community of faith. With what little I have before me, the early church was a community of individuals who cared for each other’s welfare as if they were a big family. Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35 Most of the work outside of the church had to do with the Apostles publicly testifying to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and performing miracles in His name.
Perhaps the clearest example of compassionate/provisional ministry is shown to us in Paul’s letter to Timothy. 1Timothy 5:3-16 Caring for the true widows of the church was one of the primary concerns of the early church and we not only see this through Paul’s direction to Timothy, but we see it in action from the pages of Acts 6. In what we might refer to as the early church’s first ministry program, 7 men were chosen to oversee the daily distribution of food to the widows of the church.
I don’t even pretend to know what a church should look like. If I had a church, you could guarantee that it wouldn’t get the bulk of its ministerial direction from me. I’m not advocating the kind of faith that willfully and blindly allows non-believers to rot in hell. Neither am I advocating that a church should base its ‘music program’ on playing only the style of music that its tried and true members want to hear. What I am trying to say is this;
It’s ok to love each other.
In fact, I’d personally go a little farther than that. If your brother is suffering from a bout of December depression and he messages you asking to get together soon, it’s ok to opt out of the Friday night street evangelism. In my opinion (and yes, it is only an opinion), part of the attraction to the early Church was the way the believers cared for each other, not for their involvement en masse into the community.
You aren’t allowed to use this as a manual for planning your church’s outreach program, but if we aren’t a people who love each other, if we aren’t a people who help each other, if we aren’t there for each other when we’re needed, why would anyone want to be a believer anyway?
That’ll be five cents please. That’s about what it’s worth.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Show Me.
How do you respond to someone when you really don’t agree with what they are saying? There are times when we need to take a stand and times where it just makes for good diplomacy to let the issue pass. Would you agree? Where do you draw the line though?
Yesterday, a Facebook friend of mine accused me of something that I didn’t quite agree with. I had helped a mutual acquaintance with their car troubles and as a result, the individual in question said that I was ‘very kind’.
I sat at my laptop for a few minutes, pondering how to respond. The person who said it was a believer, so I knew they would understand where I was coming from.
Luke 6:32-33 (English Standard Version)
32 "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
In the end, rather than giving a lengthy rebuttal on how I had not demonstrated Biblical kindness, I merely offered a polite, ‘You’re welcome.’ I was merely doing good to someone who consistently does god to me.
I don’t have a problem with being kind according to the standards of this world. Of course, our culture’s standards are pretty low. I do have a great amount of difficulty in demonstrating the kind of love that should characterize a person who walks by The Holy Spirit.
My boss commented yesterday on how I seem to do a lot to help people. It was nice to hear. I am quite comfortable helping my family, my friends and people in my life group when I have the time. I am not so compelled to go out of my way to help the people who I know complain about me or make fun of me. According to the world’s standards, maybe I am a rather kind and considerate individual, but if we’re looking at what is considered to be Biblical love, I am a dismal disappointment.
I often hear nonbelievers who think that we’re a bunch of hypocrites. I also hear things said about Christians such as this, “If that is what a believer is, then I don’t want anything to do with it.” I have also heard this on many occassions, "The greatest cause of athiesm is this, Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, but go on living lives that are unchanged."
If that describes your attitude towards Christians, I have something to ask of you. You see, I’ve been walking with Jesus for a little over 10 years now and I just can’t be everything that He tells us to be. My challenge to you is this – show me how it’s done. Would you commit yourself for one year to study the Jesus found in the Bible and to faithfully live the life that He both lived and advocated. I just can’t do it. Perhaps you can.
Yesterday, a Facebook friend of mine accused me of something that I didn’t quite agree with. I had helped a mutual acquaintance with their car troubles and as a result, the individual in question said that I was ‘very kind’.
I sat at my laptop for a few minutes, pondering how to respond. The person who said it was a believer, so I knew they would understand where I was coming from.
Luke 6:32-33 (English Standard Version)
32 "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
In the end, rather than giving a lengthy rebuttal on how I had not demonstrated Biblical kindness, I merely offered a polite, ‘You’re welcome.’ I was merely doing good to someone who consistently does god to me.
I don’t have a problem with being kind according to the standards of this world. Of course, our culture’s standards are pretty low. I do have a great amount of difficulty in demonstrating the kind of love that should characterize a person who walks by The Holy Spirit.
My boss commented yesterday on how I seem to do a lot to help people. It was nice to hear. I am quite comfortable helping my family, my friends and people in my life group when I have the time. I am not so compelled to go out of my way to help the people who I know complain about me or make fun of me. According to the world’s standards, maybe I am a rather kind and considerate individual, but if we’re looking at what is considered to be Biblical love, I am a dismal disappointment.
I often hear nonbelievers who think that we’re a bunch of hypocrites. I also hear things said about Christians such as this, “If that is what a believer is, then I don’t want anything to do with it.” I have also heard this on many occassions, "The greatest cause of athiesm is this, Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, but go on living lives that are unchanged."
If that describes your attitude towards Christians, I have something to ask of you. You see, I’ve been walking with Jesus for a little over 10 years now and I just can’t be everything that He tells us to be. My challenge to you is this – show me how it’s done. Would you commit yourself for one year to study the Jesus found in the Bible and to faithfully live the life that He both lived and advocated. I just can’t do it. Perhaps you can.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Getting the Word out.
Tonight I’ll be at the Tillsonburg Town Centre on behalf of The Gideons, giving away New Testaments to whoever wants one. If it isn’t too much trouble and if you read this before the evening is over, you could pray for me. It might sound something like this;
“Dear God. I know that Kevin stinks as a personal evangelist. Could you do one of two things for him? Either A) Give him the words to say, or B) Find someone else who knows what they are doing as a replacement for him.
I ask this in Jesus' name.”
Thanks. Have a good night.
“Dear God. I know that Kevin stinks as a personal evangelist. Could you do one of two things for him? Either A) Give him the words to say, or B) Find someone else who knows what they are doing as a replacement for him.
I ask this in Jesus' name.”
Thanks. Have a good night.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
CAS Job Requirenemts
I don’t put my name behind many causes. As I’ve done this, I often wonder if the people in my life think that I am cold. I mean, I don’t copy and paste Facebook comments about cancer, or Earth Day. However I think I finally have a cause to champion.
I think that one of the mandatory requirements for being a Children’s Aid Society worker should be that the individual needs to have successfully raised at least two children to the age of 19. Their children cannot have any criminal record, no past history of open rebellion, or any drug or alcohol addictions. Being an authority on parenting is easy when you don’t have any children.
Before I was a dad, I was sure I had parenting theory all figured out. It wasn’t until I was a father, when I realized that I didn’t really have all of the answers. From time to time, my wife and I come up against obstacles for which we really don’t have it all together. Where do you turn when you don’t have all the answers?
A short while ago, I called up a friend of mine who has raised 3 boys into adulthood. I shared with him some of the struggles I was having with one of my own children. For most of the conversation he just listened. He asked a few questions and shared a few thoughts, but really didn’t have what some people might consider to be ‘the solution’. At the end of our conversation, he offered to pray with me. Before hanging up, he apologized for not being more helpful. I responded by saying,
“Sure, we just walked hand in hand into the Throne room of God, The Supreme Being of the Entire Universe!! No big deal.”
People used to die for that you know. Even though I didn’t get ‘the solution’, I walked away with so much more. What we need in life has very little to do with having the answers. The last thing that I needed was a CAS worker who had all of the government approved solutions, and who was ready to yank my kids from me if I messed up. What I needed was a friend who has gone before me; someone who loves me, someone who loves God and who is concerned about the well being of my family.
So often I find that as believers, if we’re not feeding the poor, saving the lost or providing good answers to spiritual questions, it just doesn’t seem Christian enough. Very little value in our faith seems to be placed on merely being a good friend, a faithful husband or loving Father. I don’t know if the world needs more soup kitchens, more theologians or missionaries, but I do believe that the world needs more fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, neighbours, sons, daughters and friends.
Thank you my friend. You didn’t fix my problem for me. You weren’t supposed to. In fact, you did so much more.
I think that one of the mandatory requirements for being a Children’s Aid Society worker should be that the individual needs to have successfully raised at least two children to the age of 19. Their children cannot have any criminal record, no past history of open rebellion, or any drug or alcohol addictions. Being an authority on parenting is easy when you don’t have any children.
Before I was a dad, I was sure I had parenting theory all figured out. It wasn’t until I was a father, when I realized that I didn’t really have all of the answers. From time to time, my wife and I come up against obstacles for which we really don’t have it all together. Where do you turn when you don’t have all the answers?
A short while ago, I called up a friend of mine who has raised 3 boys into adulthood. I shared with him some of the struggles I was having with one of my own children. For most of the conversation he just listened. He asked a few questions and shared a few thoughts, but really didn’t have what some people might consider to be ‘the solution’. At the end of our conversation, he offered to pray with me. Before hanging up, he apologized for not being more helpful. I responded by saying,
“Sure, we just walked hand in hand into the Throne room of God, The Supreme Being of the Entire Universe!! No big deal.”
People used to die for that you know. Even though I didn’t get ‘the solution’, I walked away with so much more. What we need in life has very little to do with having the answers. The last thing that I needed was a CAS worker who had all of the government approved solutions, and who was ready to yank my kids from me if I messed up. What I needed was a friend who has gone before me; someone who loves me, someone who loves God and who is concerned about the well being of my family.
So often I find that as believers, if we’re not feeding the poor, saving the lost or providing good answers to spiritual questions, it just doesn’t seem Christian enough. Very little value in our faith seems to be placed on merely being a good friend, a faithful husband or loving Father. I don’t know if the world needs more soup kitchens, more theologians or missionaries, but I do believe that the world needs more fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, neighbours, sons, daughters and friends.
Thank you my friend. You didn’t fix my problem for me. You weren’t supposed to. In fact, you did so much more.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Hearing the Bad News
How do you respond when someone tells you that the life you are living is wrong? What if the thing you are accused of is something that you are powerless to change? What do you do with that?
Last night, my family and I watched one of those thought provoking Christmas movies; The Muppet Christmas Carol. Alright. Muppet movies aren’t generally made to challenge us. The tale is an old one. Ebenezer Scrooge is given the opportunity to see his life as other people see it. He is confronted with the painful reality of who he really is; a stingy, cold hearted, miser. Fortunately, Scrooge somehow has a complete transformation between the time he goes to bed on Christmas Eve and the time he wakes up on Christmas morning.
A close personal friend of mine made a comment on one of my posts a little while back saying that, ‘for the most part, people don’t change.’ He’s right. Yet there is something to be said for having personal resolve, whether to make change in our finances or our personal health. What about matters of sin and righteousness?
Jeremiah 13:23 (New International Version, ©2010)
23 Can an Ethiopian change his skin
or a leopard its spots?
Neither can you do good
who are accustomed to doing evil.
Just as a leopard is completely unable to change its spots, there are things in our lives that we are completely unable to change. So what do you do when someone tells you that your spots are sinful? I mean, if you are a leopard, you can’t do anything about them can you? Where does that leave you? Eternally condemned?
We resent people who tell us that our spots are sinful don’t we? We were born this way. Just as an Ethiopian can’t change his skin (not that there is any need to change his skin), since we are powerless about our situation, the person who is accusing us is either being hateful or trying to bully us. Or maybe we take it even harder than that. Maybe there is something in our mind which isn’t completely at ease with the spots we have, but given the helplessness of our condition to do anything about them, we become seriously depressed, even to the point where we despair even of life.
You see that in the world don’t you? Well, maybe not your world. Your world is filled with nothing but fresh air and sunshine, where life is beautiful all of the time. In the world that I live, people continue to live under burden of the knowledge that the spots they wear, are in fact spots, which cannot be removed.
A friend of mine named Billy found himself in just such a place. Billy worked stocking shelves at Mark’s Work Warehouse. Billy had his own spots that he was unable to do anything about. He was addicted to pornography. It was something that revealed itself during his teenaged years. In those days, Billy used to take comfort on the thought of getting married. Certainly, ‘When I get married’, he thought, ‘then I’ll be able to overcome it, because then I’ll have an outlet for my sexual desires.’
I have a news flash for you folks. Sin doesn’t go away because you get married. So Billy got married, all the while continuing to find ways to look at naked pictures. The married life which he anticipated to help deliver him, only served to beat him down all the more. No longer was he just a teenaged boy looking at dirty pictures, he was now a married man, looking at other women.
In time, God blessed Billy with a child. ‘This should do it.’, Billy thought. ‘How can I be a dad and continue living this kind of life?’ Having children stops you from sinning right? Now his condition was even worse than before. No longer was he the teenager or the married man looking at dirty pictures, he was now both a husband and a father.
What do you do in a place like that? Do you hold your head up high? There are only two options that the world gives us for dealing with our spots. We either live in hiding, or we come out, and in my opinion, neither response are completely liberating. Up until that point in his life, Billy was living in hiding. Fortunately, Bill did have something going for him. He had a friend who persistently encouraged him to go to Promise Keepers.
If you don’t know, Promise Keepers has a bad rap for telling men that they are perverts who need to get right with God. It’s not a popular message is it? A lot of men get freaked out with that kind of thing. How many liars do you know who like to be called liars? Billy knew. He knew that if he went, that he’d be confronted about his sin. How many of you would go somewhere that you knew would do the same? When you accuse others of sin, they think you’re hateful don’t they?
Billy’s friend persisted. At Promise Keepers, Billy learned that he neither had to live in hiding, nor did he have to come out. Coming out is when we reveal our sin to the world in the hopes that people will embrace us along with our sin. Billy realized that instead of hiding or coming out, that he needed to confess. Confession is when you call your sin for what it is, and admit it to God, to yourself and to at least one other human being. Instead of getting all bent out of shape for being accused as a sinner, Billy claims that,
“Other than my salvation, it was the most liberating time in my life.”
How rare and awesome is that?
I present to you, that the story of Ebenezer Scrooge is one of fiction; one which makes us feel fuzzy in thinking that we can change for the better, when in fact, we are helpless to do what needs to be done. We can’t change our spots, but they can be changed for us. Are we willing to see ourselves as we are in the eyes of the only One who is able to do anything about it?
Christ didn’t come to help us feel good about who we are or to build up our self esteem. He came as a light into this dark world. I know it hurts when you look directly into the light, but please consider doing exactly that.
Last night, my family and I watched one of those thought provoking Christmas movies; The Muppet Christmas Carol. Alright. Muppet movies aren’t generally made to challenge us. The tale is an old one. Ebenezer Scrooge is given the opportunity to see his life as other people see it. He is confronted with the painful reality of who he really is; a stingy, cold hearted, miser. Fortunately, Scrooge somehow has a complete transformation between the time he goes to bed on Christmas Eve and the time he wakes up on Christmas morning.
A close personal friend of mine made a comment on one of my posts a little while back saying that, ‘for the most part, people don’t change.’ He’s right. Yet there is something to be said for having personal resolve, whether to make change in our finances or our personal health. What about matters of sin and righteousness?
Jeremiah 13:23 (New International Version, ©2010)
23 Can an Ethiopian change his skin
or a leopard its spots?
Neither can you do good
who are accustomed to doing evil.
Just as a leopard is completely unable to change its spots, there are things in our lives that we are completely unable to change. So what do you do when someone tells you that your spots are sinful? I mean, if you are a leopard, you can’t do anything about them can you? Where does that leave you? Eternally condemned?
We resent people who tell us that our spots are sinful don’t we? We were born this way. Just as an Ethiopian can’t change his skin (not that there is any need to change his skin), since we are powerless about our situation, the person who is accusing us is either being hateful or trying to bully us. Or maybe we take it even harder than that. Maybe there is something in our mind which isn’t completely at ease with the spots we have, but given the helplessness of our condition to do anything about them, we become seriously depressed, even to the point where we despair even of life.
You see that in the world don’t you? Well, maybe not your world. Your world is filled with nothing but fresh air and sunshine, where life is beautiful all of the time. In the world that I live, people continue to live under burden of the knowledge that the spots they wear, are in fact spots, which cannot be removed.
A friend of mine named Billy found himself in just such a place. Billy worked stocking shelves at Mark’s Work Warehouse. Billy had his own spots that he was unable to do anything about. He was addicted to pornography. It was something that revealed itself during his teenaged years. In those days, Billy used to take comfort on the thought of getting married. Certainly, ‘When I get married’, he thought, ‘then I’ll be able to overcome it, because then I’ll have an outlet for my sexual desires.’
I have a news flash for you folks. Sin doesn’t go away because you get married. So Billy got married, all the while continuing to find ways to look at naked pictures. The married life which he anticipated to help deliver him, only served to beat him down all the more. No longer was he just a teenaged boy looking at dirty pictures, he was now a married man, looking at other women.
In time, God blessed Billy with a child. ‘This should do it.’, Billy thought. ‘How can I be a dad and continue living this kind of life?’ Having children stops you from sinning right? Now his condition was even worse than before. No longer was he the teenager or the married man looking at dirty pictures, he was now both a husband and a father.
What do you do in a place like that? Do you hold your head up high? There are only two options that the world gives us for dealing with our spots. We either live in hiding, or we come out, and in my opinion, neither response are completely liberating. Up until that point in his life, Billy was living in hiding. Fortunately, Bill did have something going for him. He had a friend who persistently encouraged him to go to Promise Keepers.
If you don’t know, Promise Keepers has a bad rap for telling men that they are perverts who need to get right with God. It’s not a popular message is it? A lot of men get freaked out with that kind of thing. How many liars do you know who like to be called liars? Billy knew. He knew that if he went, that he’d be confronted about his sin. How many of you would go somewhere that you knew would do the same? When you accuse others of sin, they think you’re hateful don’t they?
Billy’s friend persisted. At Promise Keepers, Billy learned that he neither had to live in hiding, nor did he have to come out. Coming out is when we reveal our sin to the world in the hopes that people will embrace us along with our sin. Billy realized that instead of hiding or coming out, that he needed to confess. Confession is when you call your sin for what it is, and admit it to God, to yourself and to at least one other human being. Instead of getting all bent out of shape for being accused as a sinner, Billy claims that,
“Other than my salvation, it was the most liberating time in my life.”
How rare and awesome is that?
I present to you, that the story of Ebenezer Scrooge is one of fiction; one which makes us feel fuzzy in thinking that we can change for the better, when in fact, we are helpless to do what needs to be done. We can’t change our spots, but they can be changed for us. Are we willing to see ourselves as we are in the eyes of the only One who is able to do anything about it?
Christ didn’t come to help us feel good about who we are or to build up our self esteem. He came as a light into this dark world. I know it hurts when you look directly into the light, but please consider doing exactly that.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Merry Christmas (Not My Problem)
I really don’t get it to be honest. It’s not that it bothers me. It really doesn’t. I mean, if our Lord was rejected by the world He came to save, why would they want to celebrate His birthday? (Not that I know for sure how close He was born to Dec. 25)
Yesterday morning I woke up listening to the news on BX93 talking about how many people in North America don’t like Christmas. The guy being interviewed on the radio said that we should celebrate a holiday that includes everybody. I’m assuming that the man being interviewed is of the opinion that Christmas is only for Christians.
Maybe I’m crazy, but I really don’t think that the Christmas we celebrate in North America has much to do with Jesus anyway. I’m not passing judgment on you. I’m thinking of my own experience. Sure. I go to church on Christmas Eve. My wife has Christmas music in both of my vehicles. When I became a believer, I even made the really bold move of walking away from Santa. I still do the presents, not because they have anything to do with Jesus, but because I like the presents. I could do without the tree, but where would I put the presents?
Isn’t there something for everyone in Christmas? I mean, if you hate Jesus, you’ve got Santa Claus. If you love Jesus, you can make it all about Him, even though you likely won’t. Can you honestly tell me that the materialism and feasting have much to do with the baby in the manger? So why all of the fuss? Why isn’t it politically correct to wish everyone ‘Merry Christmas’. Why don’t we hear the same objections to Halloween in the public realm? Why don’t we hear complaints saying, “Halloween has its roots in paganism. Not everyone is pagan so we shouldn’t say ‘Happy Halloween.’”?
Perhaps the thought that remains with me the most is when I hear complaints saying that Christmas isn’t for everyone. Here’s the thing. Jesus is for everyone. Suppose I give you a gift. Imagine that it is something small, something like – eternal life. I know it isn’t much, but I wanted to give you something. If you tell me that you don’t want that gift…
HOW IS THAT MY PROBLEM????
It isn’t any different now than it was 2000 years ago.
“He came into the very world He created, but the word didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.” John 1:10-11
The objections that are raised with regards to Christmas have nothing to do with the holiday itself. The world has little objection to Santa Claus, the Yule Log, family dinners or the new I-Tablet under the Christmas tree. The only objection to Christmas lies in the name itself; Christ.
As Christians in North America, we have enjoyed a rather peculiar
privilege. We have enjoyed a Christian-ish cultural heritage which would have been enviable to the early church. If the world rejected the One that we serve, we can’t really be all that surprised if it wants to walk away from a holiday which carries His title. If anything is out of place, it isn’t that Christmas is losing its ground. The fact that we have had this Christmas as a national holiday, is the anomaly itself.
Yesterday morning I woke up listening to the news on BX93 talking about how many people in North America don’t like Christmas. The guy being interviewed on the radio said that we should celebrate a holiday that includes everybody. I’m assuming that the man being interviewed is of the opinion that Christmas is only for Christians.
Maybe I’m crazy, but I really don’t think that the Christmas we celebrate in North America has much to do with Jesus anyway. I’m not passing judgment on you. I’m thinking of my own experience. Sure. I go to church on Christmas Eve. My wife has Christmas music in both of my vehicles. When I became a believer, I even made the really bold move of walking away from Santa. I still do the presents, not because they have anything to do with Jesus, but because I like the presents. I could do without the tree, but where would I put the presents?
Isn’t there something for everyone in Christmas? I mean, if you hate Jesus, you’ve got Santa Claus. If you love Jesus, you can make it all about Him, even though you likely won’t. Can you honestly tell me that the materialism and feasting have much to do with the baby in the manger? So why all of the fuss? Why isn’t it politically correct to wish everyone ‘Merry Christmas’. Why don’t we hear the same objections to Halloween in the public realm? Why don’t we hear complaints saying, “Halloween has its roots in paganism. Not everyone is pagan so we shouldn’t say ‘Happy Halloween.’”?
Perhaps the thought that remains with me the most is when I hear complaints saying that Christmas isn’t for everyone. Here’s the thing. Jesus is for everyone. Suppose I give you a gift. Imagine that it is something small, something like – eternal life. I know it isn’t much, but I wanted to give you something. If you tell me that you don’t want that gift…
HOW IS THAT MY PROBLEM????
It isn’t any different now than it was 2000 years ago.
“He came into the very world He created, but the word didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.” John 1:10-11
The objections that are raised with regards to Christmas have nothing to do with the holiday itself. The world has little objection to Santa Claus, the Yule Log, family dinners or the new I-Tablet under the Christmas tree. The only objection to Christmas lies in the name itself; Christ.
As Christians in North America, we have enjoyed a rather peculiar
privilege. We have enjoyed a Christian-ish cultural heritage which would have been enviable to the early church. If the world rejected the One that we serve, we can’t really be all that surprised if it wants to walk away from a holiday which carries His title. If anything is out of place, it isn’t that Christmas is losing its ground. The fact that we have had this Christmas as a national holiday, is the anomaly itself.
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