Sunday, May 25, 2014

It IS Right

"So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God...." . (Philippians 1:7 NLT)

How often do you hear pastors talk like that to "their people"?   

Sometimes, I wonder if something is wrong with me.  And by the time I explain what is wrong with me, it will seem obvious that it is in fact right.  I feel like a broken record, because I have written this blog post many times and in different forms.

In 2000, my wife and I began ministering to a group of high school aged youth at our home church, and after high school, they went off to pursue their own lives.   We have been fortunate that many of them are still living in the area, but the circumstances of life are such that we aren't able to see each other as we once did.

I often catch myself thinking of them, so much so, that I wonder if I'm somehow supposed to forget them and move on in some way.  The undeniable truth is however, that I am completely unable to stop caring deeply for them, and for what happens to them.

Last evening, my wife and I had the privilege of witnessing one of these young men marry "the woman of his dreams".  As we caught up with old friends, it became obvious to me, that the enduring love we have for our fellow believers isn't something we need to 'get over', rather, it is something that is right.

It can hurt when we miss and long for people who have moved on in life, yet I am convinced the pain is meant to highlight the injustices of life that are meant to be solved when at last we gather at an even greater wedding feast; The Marriage of The Lamb.  There are two great tragedies I am certain will be resolved when we walk together in final glory.

Intimacy 

I know I'm not alone.  It's like I have this heart full of love, and no matter what I say or what I do, I am completely incapable of fully expressing it.  I always have in mind the things I want to convey to the people I love, but it never comes out in full force, no matter how often I rehearse, how often I say it or how beautiful it sounded in my head.

I can't say this with absolute certainty, because I don't have the backing of scripture, but I anticipate, that this is one injustice that is meant to be resolved.  How beautiful it would be if we were fully able to articulate that love that we have for each other!

Time

This I do know.  Eternity with Christ offers without cost, that commodity which is so limited to us now.  As I spent last evening trying to connect with old friends, there just wasn't enough time, and as much as I would like to connect on some other evening, there still isn't enough time.  Even for those people who I had a decent conversation with, we really never had sufficient time to fully grasp what life is like for each other.

Maybe some of you like the idea of Heaven, but you're planning on getting there without Jesus.  I don't know how to politely break it to you, but the kind of love that Paul had for the people of Philippi, and the kind of love I have for my Christian brothers and sisters is inherently a Jesus thing.  What are you basing eternity on?  Your own wishful thinking?  You weren't as bad as the next guy?  You have done less bad stuff in 2014 than you did in 2013?

The marriage of Christ is for His people.  How else did you think it was supposed to work?

It is right that I miss you.  It is right, because the kind of love believers have for each other has nothing to do with sexuality, but everything to do with The Spirit who lives within them.   It's right, because it keeps me focused on Christ, as the only hope of rectifying that which has been broken.  It is right, because scripture says it's right.




PS. Just because 2 people love each other doesn't meant they have to have sex.  Somebody PLEASE find a way to explain that to the world!!!!  I have been completely unsuccessful, and I even wrote a book.

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Thursday, April 3, 2014

Many are Called. Few are Chosen



This past week, I was asked to share my thoughts on Matthew 22:14.

"For many are called, but few are chosen". Matthew 22:14

On the surface, it sounds as if God runs an elitist social club. Or better yet, He's looked at, as the head coach for an Olympic hockey team, choosing only the best of the best, snubbing everyone who just doesn't make the cut.

As I look at this verse, I am going to view it in light of three things. I am going to begin by looking at two words: Call, and Choose. I am also going to look at the statement in the context in which it is presented. So, there will be three C's to this.   Call, Choose and Context.


  Call

Marriage is the theme of this passage found in Matthew 22:1-14, so it is wise to look at the language of the verse in that light.  In the English Standard Version, the word "call" is actually used in verse 3 of the text. So what does it mean to 'call' anyway? It's kind of an old word in many respects.

There was a day when young men used to 'come calling'. They don't do that much anymore. If you want to get an idea of what it means to call on someone, watching old black and white movies or westerns would be a good place to start.

When a young man had a fancy for a young lady, it was common for him to go to her house. Imagine it if you can. The calling, was a way to formally express your interest, both to the young lady, as well as her parents. It was also a time for a young couple to safely "check each other out", so to speak.

Calling is a seeking out, and this seeking out, is precisely what we see in this passage. We see a King, sending his servants to "call those who were invited" Matt 22:3. That is the word in it's proper context. Many are called, or sought out. How did the King respond when the people he called, refused to come? He responded by calling more. He told his servants to "go to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you can find." Matthew 22:9

That is the picture of God, inviting as many people as can be found. That's what God does, and His people do their best to do just that. They do what they can to invite as many as can be found. As for me, I do everything I can to invite as many as I can, to know Jesus. I write books. I write blogs. I invite people to church. I preach. I am not alone. There are many like me, doing what they can, to call as many as they can.

Choose
I chose Barb. Do you know why I chose Barb? Because Barb chose me. Christians debate back and forth over whether God chooses people, or they choose Him. It's both. It is always both, and can be no other way. God chooses those who choose Him.

How else can it work? Unfortunately (it is unfortunate in my mind), few are chosen, and the reason so few are chosen, is because so few respond to the call. Again, by calling, I mean that few respond to the invitation - the seeking. Their reasons vary, but essentially, they have other things in mind to do with their lives than to respond to the invitation. They just don't want to go to the wedding feast.

Christians do what they can to invite all they can. Tell me you haven't heard this complaint, "People shouldn't try to force their religion on other people?" As for force, there is some truth in it. Faith in Christ isn't a thing to be forced. Most of the time however, people actually resent even being invited. The complaint itself, is normally verbalized by someone who does not want to follow Jesus.

Few are chosen, because few choose. How does our world respond to hearing what God has to say about issues? Suppose we are talking about a kind of sexual activity that God is not fine with. When Christians tell the world, "God is not fine with you using your body like that", what is the response? Have you EVER heard the world respond, "Gee. Thank you very much. We didn't know what God thought about that!"? There is a very clear resistance to God Himself.

Even in a country that is supposedly predominantly Christian, it is so painfully obvious that God is the last person we are interested in following. We don't mind being ethical or humanitarian, but we aren't all that fond of responding to the call. We just don't want to go to the wedding feast.


Context

I have touched on the context already, but feel it is necessary to expand. The context, is set with the backdrop of a king, inviting his people to a wedding feast. The people he invited initially never responded. So he sent his servants again, letting them know that he has a great feast prepared for them, and he really wants them there. At this, many of the invitees just went their own way. Others actually seized the messengers,treated them shamefully, even killing some. Seeing his servants mistreated and killed, he rightfully punishes them, and sends other servants to invite all who can be found.

This is the backdrop to the very story of the world. Many of God's servants are mistreated. Many are even killed.

Many were called. Many were sought out. Many were invited. Few responded.

When we read, "Many are called, few are chosen", on the surface, it sounds as if God runs an elitist social club. Or better yet, He's looked at as the head coach for an Olympic hockey team, choosing only the best of the best, snubbing everyone who just doesn't make the cut. The reality of the situation lies in stark contrast to this, God being a King, who almost seems to be begging His subjects to enjoy His delicacies.

Part of the reason we see God as an elite hockey coach, is because we have lost the sense of language itself. Our loss of language is perhaps the greatest obstacle facing our world, because without it's understanding, we are unable to process truth. Gay, used to mean happy. Calling used to be synonymous with seeking. Tolerance has now become confused with approval. Our language is so messed, to the point where we are no longer able to have reasonable dialogue.

To call, is to seek out. God is not an Olympic hockey coach, looking for the best of the best. He has set an amazing feast and is sending his servants out to call all who can be found. He chooses those who choose to respond. Few respond. They have other things going on.


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Sunday, March 30, 2014

The Church Does Nothing

This past week, I was having lunch with a believing friend of mine.  Overall, our time together was a time of encouragement.  He said something however, that at the time, I didn't quite know how to respond to.

As I was sipping on my coffee, he looked at me rather directly and said, "The church is doing absolutely nothing in the community or the world."

My immediate response was to simply agree with him.  I have mulled over and wrestled with his statement every day since.  Depending on the audience this reaches, many of you have had similar thoughts.  "The church needs to do something!"

As I have continued to reflect, I found myself thinking of the lady from our church who administers the local food bank.  Then I thought of the guy who helps homeless teens find a place to live.  And there is the lady who spends her life caring for new moms.

This morning, our pastor told us about a group of ladies in our church who made approximately 700 articles of clothing for aids victims in Africa.  You might not value the work done by Compassion, but they do their best to help children escape poverty, and a few people from our church work there.  I also know Christians who try to help hurricane victims.  

No matter what her people do, somehow, the accusation still seems to stand.  The church doesn't do anything to help anyone.  Why does it stand?  And why don't I have a decent response when I face those indictments? 

"you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5 ESV)

Peter tells us in his first letter, that we, as believers are to be a holy priesthood.  
Yet in most minds, if the pastor or leadership are not the ones who are doing something, then it doesn't reflect on the church. How come?

I don't expect the world to recognize that our individual actions are the very actions of the church.  It is disappointing when believers do the same, and I disappoint myself when, in the moment, I am personally unable to verbalize how beautiful the bride of Christ can be.

I want you to know, that what you do matters, even if nobody recognizes it.  I also hope that you recognize, that the leadership in your church doesn't have to try and do the things that you are passionate about.  That's why they have you.  (Assuming that you are in fact part of the holy priesthood, and not on the other team)

Are you the church?
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Friday, February 7, 2014

Theories

    Theories are a very odd creature.  In our minds, we know they don't necessarily represent reality, but we cling to them as if they do.  If you have lived for any length of time, no doubt you have found that some of your personal theories about how life works just didn't prove to be true.  Of course, it is much easier to recognize when the theories of other people fail.

   When my wife and I decided to homeschool our first born, we met a great deal of opposition.  The opposition rarely had anything whatsoever to do with what we were actually doing.  The objections always came out of the personal theories held by others.  Here are a few such theories....

1.  Your child won't known how to socialize.
2.  If your child doesn't go to public school, they might get along fine in "the church", but they will have a difficult time relating to unbelievers.
3.  Being homeschooled, they will experience culture shock when they enter the real world.

  Even though these were little more than theories, many held on to them adamantly, as if they were a kind of universally accepted law.

   I'm not here to defend homeschooling.  In fact, I don't much care how you school your children.  I'm quite at ease either watching you stand or fall as you live by your own theories.  That might sound mean.  Would you rather me be a tyrant?  

  What I can say looking back, is that the kinds of theories voiced against us really didn't turn out to be true.  If anything, our first born has had a much easier time finding her way in the world as a believer, than she has at finding her place in the church. 

  We stand or fall as we take on the consequences of the theories we have chosen to live by.  I may fall just yet over some that I have chosen.

  This morning I woke up reading about two men trying to defend their theories.  You may have heard of them;  Bill Nye and Ken Ham.  What I read reminded me of how we eventually come to face the reality of the theories we have lived by, and how ultimately, we are without excuse.

  Reality tends to be a rather tough taskmaster, but only insofar as it's resisted.  I think it tends to be that way, because we spend so much time trying to prove our point and defend our theories instead of embracing that whatever is - is.

  Here is what I know for sure.  We're all going to die.  I also know for sure that we are going to spend a lot more time after we die than what we spent here alive on earth.  You can bank on that.

  I also know this:  If there is a God, Bill Nye is without excuse when he meets Him.  He has clearly thought things through, and made his conclusions.  Maybe Ken Ham didn't do that best job in the world, but he did everything he possibly could to tell him that there is a God who made this place we call home.

  The "church" is often criticized for not doing enough in the world.  You might have all the answers.  For me, I don't know what else we're expected to do.  I don't know what else you would expect Ken Ham to do.  As for me, I write books (not many people want them). I write blogs, and they are available around the world, in different translations (not many people read them). I preach (christians seem to be the only ones who want to listen).  I'm doing everything I know to do in order to try and reach the world, as I trust you are if you belong to Christ. (Are you doing all you can?)

  As for being without excuse, I don't think I've heard of anyone being otherwise.  As I follow the Nye/Ham debate, everyone who comments on the articles I've read already have their stand.  It is extremely rare to hear someone say, "Gee.  I really don't have any pre-formulated thoughts or opinions about God.  Tell me more." If you ever meet such a creature, let me know.  I'll try to sell them one of my books.
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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Sound Doctrine

Sound Doctrine

"But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine." (Titus 2:1 ESV)

   This past Wednesday morning, I had breakfast at McDonalds with a pastor from a church in the Aylmer area.  We began our time together arguing over who was going to pay for breakfast.  (An argument that I won by the way.  I'm not sure whether it was my pride or my generosity that compelled me to pay.)

  We talked about many different things, from family, to the goings on in our respective churches.  We eventually got on to the topic of doctrine, and his words continue to remain with me.  

  "Sound doctrine....What is sound doctrine anyway?  Sound doctrine is doctrine which is sound."

  Miriam-Webster defines sound as follows,

  "Free from mistakes, demonstrating good judgment, solid and strong."

   Imagine we are speaking of a foundation.  A foundation with cracks in it wouldn't be sound enough to build a house on.  When we take solid stands on teachings that are not sound, it opens us up for unnecessary criticism.   We often take enough criticism without providing an opportunity.

    If you understand this passage of scripture, you'll be able to understand why I take my stands the way I do, and why I don't always adopt other people's pet doctrines.  You should also be able to understand why I have to tell you at times, that I simply do not know for sure.   What makes a teaching sound anyway?  For me, the answer is simple.  Scripture is the bedrock by which we evaluate whether or not a teaching is sound.  I'm not going to intentionally take a doctrinal stand on something I do not see clearly spelled out in The Bible.  Sorry.  (Actually.  I'm really not sorry)

  I can confidently tell you that Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God.  Do you know why I can authoritatively say such a thing?  Because scripture says so.  If you don't believe me, check out Colossians 1:15.

  I can also say emphatically, that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.  I can build on that as a foundation, because it is sound, and the reason it is so reliable, is because scripture speaks the very same words.  I can also say that Jesus was born of a virgin.  Know why I say that?  You're catching on.

  What I find really strange in my role as an elder, is when Christians get upset with me because I don't agree with them on things that aren't completely sound.  If I'm going to say that God is "this or that"' I need to be quite certain He is "this or that" by what is revealed in scripture.

  How about your doctrines?  How sound are they?  Is it clearly spelled out in scripture, or do you need to read your favourite blog, preacher or author in order to make you feel secure in your stand?  Is it well within what is written, or do you have to develop a case?


Examples of Sound Doctrine

   This coming Sunday, I will be speaking at my church, and to be forthcoming, I've been apprehensive about the message that has been laid on my heart.  The reason why I'm apprehensive, is because the sermon I have in store , isn't the kind of sermon I like to listen to.

  I like to listen to sermons that really walk through scripture word, by word; sermons that harp on sin and point to the cross of Christ.  Those ones light my spiritual fire (so to speak).  The message I have in mind is one mostly for moms and dads, encouraging them to be faithful to each other and to their families.

  As I consider what it really means to be sound, it gives me a sense of peace.  The message I am about to give is sound.  I might not be spot on for absolutely every application I touch on, but believers really should be faithful.  Faithfulness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Moms and dads really should be faithful, and if they aren't, they need to repent.  That IS sound, even if it doesn't have the flavour of old time religion.

   As I leave for the night, I will leave you with the context of this passage in Titus, to look at what Paul was speaking on when he spoke about "sound doctrine".  As you read his words, ask yourself whether or not these are the things you think of when you think of sound doctrine.  This is what sound doctrine looks like;

  "Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled." (Titus 2:2-6 ESV)

PS I feel rather secure in thinking that for the believer, to be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord, but I've been challenged on that as of late. I'm prepared to be wrong.
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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Catching The Christmas Spirit

I have long had a difficult time with Christmas, but that has been changing.

Three short years ago, I considered writing a letter of surrender, addressing it to pagans.  Christians have been accused of hijacking their holiday, trying to claim Christmas as a day to celebrate Christ's birth.  I wanted to tell them that I was sorry.  We have been unable to make it our own holiday anyway and they might as we'll take it back and celebrate winter solstice.  Christmas, by and large had remained an overtly materialistic and pagan holiday, even in our modern day, resembling very little a holiday to celebrate the light of the world.  

In the last couple of years, that has been changing.  And strangely enough, the very reasons why many are beginning to question Christmas' validity in our culture, are the same reasons my own fondness grows.

More and more, Christmas is being recognized as a Christian holiday.    It's less politically correct to wish Merry Christmas than it was even three years  ago.  Can't you see?  We won!  It's taken about 2013 years, but Christmas is finally ours!  For so long, it has been a mixed slurry of commercial hedonism and idolatry, but at long last, it's being recognized as a Christian thing.

I'm also hearing much more about how Christmas is hard for a lot of people.  This too I find to be tremendously encouraging.  That is precisely what light is meant to do; to expose injustice for what it is.  Christmas might be harder for you because you lost your dad last year, your parents split up or your wife walked out on you.  (If I sound insensitive, please know that my family is not beyond those hardships.) Christmas didn't kill your dad, run away with your wife or break up your parents.  It's not Christmas' fault.  Consider this - The reason it hurts more at Christmas, is because Christmas is good.  May two-four doesn't bring on the same feelings, because it isn't really a time for anything authentically good.

If it gets any better, I might even wear a Santa hat.  If you don't like Christmas, I'm okay with that.  God sent His Son, because He wants the whole world to be saved.  You might not want the same.  Strangely enough, I am quite fine with it.

PS. And to the pagans, I wasn't there when Christmas began, but if we really did take it from you, I truly am sorry.  If that is the case, were it in my power, I would gladly give it back.
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Sunday, December 1, 2013

Ulvin - The Infected Planet

Deep in the heart of outer space, hangs a planet named Ulvin. It is not too unlike many of the planets we have seen in our stories of science fiction. Her people are appropriately known as the Ulvinites. Depending on your definition of what it means to be advanced, you might call them an advanced race, or you might not. They have yet to discover time travel, or make the Star Wars jump to light speed. They do however have a complex social system of government, law and order.

The Ulvinites are a rather complex creature. They are neither warlike, nor peaceful. Many would call them a violent and savage race, but they also exhibit a strong desire for peace. For all of her diversity, culture and governance, a great tragedy has befallen this solitary globe: It has been infected by a great disease.

There is great debate among Ulvin’s people as to how the sickness came to be, when it came and what to call it. Since I have the great privilege of observing them from the outside, I will name the disease, as I am above that particular debate. I have named it Ofraxia. After hearing of their plight, I have rather strong convictions about when it came to be, although, I don’t believe it’s worthwhile at this time to be dragged into that conversation. I am quite certain of how they contracted the disorder, and if time allows, I might go there.

For all that is arguable about Ofraxia, much is known for certain. Ofraxia is a virus which is contracted at birth, and as such, is carried by absolutely every citizen on the planet. Research has not yet shown whether it attacks their young since conception, but once the child is born, there is no hope for escape. The symptoms vary from patient to patient, but the prognosis is always the same - Death.

Some of them are taken rather quickly. Others live long enough to live semi-productive lives, finding work, recreation and even having families of their own. Death itself takes on different forms. Many die from horrible fleshly mutations, which can develop slowly over time, but bring them to the grave quite painfully. A great number of them die suddenly as some component of their body fails to perform its respective function.

Knowing about Ofraxia helps us to understand Ulvin’s commitment to medical care and research. Out of their distress, their political institutions are known to spend as much as 50% of their budget on fighting it. They have made great strides in medical knowledge over the past 1,000 years, even eliminating a few death strains, but have yet to find a cure. It is my understanding that the disease is completely incurable, but I am more than happy to see them try.

It is one thing to look upon Ulvin’s plight as an outsider. It is quite another to walk among them. I am certain that the very first people who were infected knew quite well that they had received a horror. No one remembers the time when it came to be, although there are stories still circulating of that fateful day. There are some who claim to have a written account of the original infestation, but those accounts are so old, that very few trust the source, and believing has become a matter of faith.

In the thousands of years since, living with the disease has become a regular part of life for them, since there is not a single soul who remembers otherwise. They have surrendered to the thought, that this is just the way life was meant to be. They have had no other experience, neither their fathers, not their forefathers before them.

The most peculiar thing about the Ulvinites, is that a great many (in fact, it might accurately be said of all of them) have developed a particular fondness for many of Ofraxia’s symptoms. It is true, that many of its manifestations can be quite pleasurable, if only for a short time. What most of them fail to realize, is how these symptoms work towards their very death. The normalcy of the virus has fooled them into thinking that it isn’t a problem at all.

A small sect among the Ulvinites has been circulating a rumor that a cure has been found. From our perspective, we would think the remedy would be received with open arms. Still, there are three great obstacles which hinder the development of the cure. It’s not a matter of funding, as I have mentioned how they use much of their financial resources in battling the death which awaits them. The established drug companies have little interest in opposing the cure, and government health care bureaucracy has not impeded its promotion either. The greatest opposition to the cure has been the cost of the cure, the normalcy of the disease and the pleasure of some of the symptoms. I will briefly discuss each of these obstacles.

The first hurdle for the cure is the cost. The cure is both free, and costly at the same time. It is an interesting side note that the one who originally gave them the cure, gave up his own life in its discovery. (A cost which few other researchers are willing to pay) This original researcher was very adamant however that the cure be given at no cost to those who are willing to receive it. The cure is thereby dispensed at no charge, other than the patient living a life of thankfulness to the one who gave them the cure. So it is costly in that the patient is required to place their trust in the cure, which is much more expensive than it would initially appear.

The cure isn’t the kind of cure the people of Ulvin are looking for. I have mentioned Ofraxia to be incurable, and it really is, in the sense that death still awaits those who have accepted treatment. The cure merely cancels the disease. It does not negate the consequence of death. Its victims still die, which leads Ulvinites to seriously question whether the cure is any kind of cure at all. It certainly isn’t the kind of medicine their own researchers have been looking for. They would much rather find a pill.

The second hurdle for the cure, is the normalcy of Ofraxia itself. Since everyone in Ulvin has it, they live their lives, not only thinking that it is acceptable, but everything is as it should be. Not one Ulvinite has ever known anyone without the disease. How then could they know any different? Never having known or seen life without the sickness, it has become offensive even to speak of Ofraxia as an ailment. Because of this, many proponents of the cure have been killed, simply for claiming to have found the solution.

Finally, not only have the Ulvinites grown accustomed to the sickness, many have developed a strange fondness for it. The original cure giver says that the symptoms are vile and disgraceful, where many patients have even grown to be proud of the virus they carry. They brag to their friends and enjoy telling heroic stories about the way Ofraxia has shown up in their lives. Their interests are therefore in direct conflict with the cure itself.

When such people are informed with the diagnosis, they respond as one would expect. They may naturally become very agitated and angry. Others grow to be very sad, even depressed. Some have been known to take their own lives. How would you respond if you were informed that the thing you love so much, were in fact a terminal disorder?

If you were an Ulvinite, would you want the cure?

I haven’t told you a story of a civilization who lived a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. This isn’t a made up world likened to Lewis’ Narnia or Tolkien’s Middle Earth. The tale I tell is true. To understand the story I have spun, you may want to read this again, and before you do, here is the key;

Ulvin is earth

Ofraxia is our separation from God

Sin is the symptom

Jesus is both the cure, and the original researcher.
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