meanderings

Lessons From the Persecuted Church

2011-11-03T13:15:00.000-04:00

November 13th is the international day of prayer for the persecuted church. Persecution for our faith in our community is something foreign. Few if any of us have experienced it. In fact, you are much more likely to be persecuted as a Muslim or Buddhist than a Christian. Having traveled all over the world, I am grateful for our religious freedom. This freedom of worship, however, carries its own set of challenges. Primarily, it can lull the church into complacency. In light of the upcoming international day of prayer for the persecuted church, I thought it be appropriate to look at what we might be able to learn from the persecuted church.

1. Persecution Makes a Church Gospel CenteredAs a church, when you face persecution you are no longer focused on impressing your friends or people in the community by the size of your congregation, the programs you offer, or the beauty of your building. Your focus instead turns to the gospel because the gospel is the only enduring thing you have to offer others.

2. Persecution Compels Us to Take Up Our Cross and Follow Christ DailyPersecution places a price tag on following Christ. The gift of religious freedom can often turn faith into easy believism that demands very little and expects much. Under persecution, the reality of taking up one's cross, as defined in Matthew 16:24, become very real as the cost of following Christ is apparent at every turn. Following Christ no longer becomes the easier of two paths. Persecution raises the stakes which in turn raises the commitment of a relationship with God.

3. Persecution Gives Us an Eternal PerspectiveOne of my greatest struggles is investing too much of my time and energy on aspirations that have no eternal significance. These aspirations are not bad in themselves, yet when they take valuable time and energy away from matters of eternal significance, they become dangerous. In Matthew 16:26, Christ asks the telling question, "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?" Persecution raises the price of following Christ, which then challenges believers to daily make the decision to, "focus on things above rather than things below."

4. Persecution Strengthens FaithIn the midst of persecution, the temporal things that one tends to rely on can be shaken or taken away. In the midst of this, one has to place their faith in the only thing that is constant, Christ's promises. Matthew 6:25-33, promises that Christ will meet all our needs. In times of persecution one's faith in Christ's promises are strengthened as Christ faithfully meets all their needs.

5. Persecution Helps Us Find Our Sufficiency in ChristIn 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul shows us that when we repent of our sins and place our faith in Christ's work on the cross, we are a new creation. Our identity and sufficiency suddenly shifts from our temporal aspirations and accomplishments to the One True God who saved us. Persecution raises the eternal and crushes the temporal forcing us to find our sufficiency and identity in Christ alone. We suddenly fine our lives echoing the third verse of the great Hymn, "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus", which says,
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease;Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace.

As we focus this month on the persecuted church, I pray for three things to happen in your life. First, I pray that you pray for the many brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted daily for following Jesus. Secondly, I pray that your prayers for the persecuted church expand your own horizons to have a much more global vision of Christ's work. Thirdly, I pray that you can implement the lesson to be learned from our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering for the Gospel. For more information on how you might better pray and support the persecuted church, go online to:www.persecution.com.

Tragedy, Suffering, and the Glory of God

2011-05-27T14:11:00.000-04:00

In the wake of the recent earthquake, tsunami, and radioactive fallout, the people of Japan have experience much suffering. This devastating tragedy has once again brought to the forefront the age old question, "What role did God play in this tragedy?"

In the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, the late Jerry Falwell carelessly responded in a broadcast on the Christian television program "The 700 Club,"

I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"

Is suffering and tragedy a result of God's judgment on the morality of the people as Falwell would suggest? Falwell's statement grossly misses the mark both historically, in its assumption of American history, and theologically, in its presentation of a God who only cares about morality as defined by the rhetoric of the Christian right. The Scripture however does record God inflicts tragedy and suffering as a means of judgment (Genesis 19). Yet, when people asked Jesus in Luke 13:1 as to whether a tragedy that had occurred in their region was God's judgment, Christ responds by explaining that those who had died in the tragedy were no worse than others in the same community who had not perished and that ultimately the most important thing was for all to repent.

All tragedy and suffering here on earth are a result of the fall. Most tragedy however is not the result of judgment, but instead that God's glory might be displayed (John 9:3). God is sovereign, nothing happens without his permission, and God will always use tragedy and tragedy as well as blessing for His glory.

Ways in which God is glorified through tragedy and suffering:
Tragedy and Suffering Awaken One's Heart to God
C.S. Lewis in the Problem of Pain wrote that, “Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Suffering and tragedy break us out of our mode of self-compliancy so that we see our need for Christ.

Tragedy and Suffering Uncovers Our Idols
Suffering and tragedy reveal what or in whom we find our joy and purpose. Through tragedy and suffering many realize that that they worship things and relationships rather than the Creator and Giver of Life.

Tragedy and Suffering Breaks Our Pride
Suffering and tragedy humbles us by reminding us that we are not in control.

Tragedy and Suffering Deepens Our Trust in God
Suffering and tragedy strip our idols away so that we realize God is the only one we can truly rely on.

Tragedy and Suffering Help Us Find Our Sufficiency in Christ
Through suffering and tragedy, we begins to realize that finding our sufficiency in anything but Christ is foolhardy and ridiculous, for Christ is the only one who is both unchanging and fully sufficient.

Tragedy and Suffering Helps Us Long for the Completion of Our Redemption
The brokenness of creation is never more apparent than in times of suffering and tragedy. Through these times we can join with creation and expectantly groan to be set free from our bondage and decay that we might obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God (Romans 8:20-22).

Tragedy and Suffering Creates an Eternal Perspective
Suffering and tragedy help remind us of our need to set our eyes on, "things above (Colossians 3:1-4)" as we wait for God to make all things new (Revelation 21:5).

For those who do not live in Japan, the tragedies that struck its people are quickly forgotten. Yet our own opportunity to deal with tragedy and suffering in a biblical manner abounds as our lives are daily affected by the rise of Devils Lake. May we find rest and joy in God' sovereignty amidst our own tragedies and suffering as we join with creation in longing for the completion of our redemption.

Only God Can Save Us Now

2011-03-05T22:03:00.000-05:00

This past December while visiting family in Michigan, Amanda and I enjoyed a show by our favorite band, Over the Rhine. One of the songs that really caught my attention was, Only God can Save us Now. Karin, the lead singer, explained that she wrote the song not long after her mother had to be moved to an assisted care home due to a stroke. The song is a tribute to some of the people in the home where her mom lived. Linford, Karin's husband described it as "a head on collision between comedy and tragedy," very funny, yet touching and serious. There was Barb who would "borrow" meds from the med-cart, Bob who would repeatedly say, "How Now Brown Cow", and Miss Cleve who would victoriously sing "Hallelujah." The song culminates with the chorus, "only God can save us now."

As I listened to this song the other day, I was struck by the reality that brokenness which births faith is the first step of finding our salvation in God. In Matthew 18:3 Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Why would Jesus commend us to become like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven when as adult we seem much smarter and wiser when it comes to spiritual things? The answer lies in a child's natural disposition towards trust, humility, and faith. When I hold and pray with one of my daughters who were awaken by a bad dream their world is completely secure. They don't have a back-up plan in case this daddy thing doesn't work. Instead, they fully trust in their daddy's capacity to protect and comfort them. Unfortunately, as we grow up we tend to become our own genius, foolishly believing the lie that we have everything under control. God's challenge in Matthew 18:3 for us is to take on the traits of childlike humility because until we shed our self-reliance and affirm our own brokenness we will foolishly believe we have no need for God.

Our first steps towards the Gospel begin with humble recognition that only God can save and redeem us (Romans 5:6-10), the first step of discipleship is humble recognition that only God can save and sanctify us, and the last step of discipleship is humbly understanding that only God could save and keep us from stumbling.

I suppose it is good that I am not walking around the house singing, "How Now Brown Cow", but if that is what it takes for me to recognize that, "Only God can save me", may God break me...and spare the sanity of my wife and kids:) May God mercifully bring us to the point that we gladly recognize, "Only God can save us, sanctify us, and keep us."

The Danger of Safely Pursuing God

2010-10-27T17:06:00.004-04:00

Years ago while living in the suburbs of Cleveland, I had a conversation with an elderly neighbor about our home security system. We had just purchased the home on a quiet cobblestone street and our neighbor commended us on the importance of our security system. The truth was, although I had kept the sign up in our yard warning intruders that the house was armed with a security system, I had canceled the service because I was too cheap to pay the monthly fee.

The reality is that our culture is consumed by safety. We have organizations and groups dedicated specifically to providing safety while we work, travel, eat, and sleep. As a father of two energetic girls, safety is usually (according to my wife I am using the term loosely) at the forefront of my mind. I wonder sometimes if we have allowed our obsession with safety neuter our relationship with Christ. Has our passion for safety affected the way we choose to live out the Christian life or define God's purpose and plan for us? How often have we readily agreed with the statement, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life?"; all the while defining this "wonderful plan" based on our desire for safety, security, and immediate happiness. We forget to leave room for suffering and self-denial, both key aspects of discipleship as defined by Christ in the Gospels. Christ said in Matthew 16:24 that, "If anyone would come after me [Christ], let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Self-denial does not correlate with safety. In fact, self-denial is the antonym of safety. Why then have we defined a "safe" life with material prosperity a sign that one is living out God's "wonderful plan" for their life? What if God's "wonderful plan" for our lives was that we find redemption through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross and then live as radicals whose passion to bring glory to God outweighs the passion for comfort and safety? What if Dietrich Bonhoeffer is right in saying that to endure the cross is not a tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ?[1] What if our brothers and sisters in Christ being persecuted for their faith around the world are the ones truly living out God's "wonderful plan" for their life?

In the end of course all this is easy for me to write as I sit "safely" in my office where I am paid to be a "professional Christian". May my own desire for safety be crushed by a life driven to take up my cross daily and follow Christ, all the while basking in Christ's promise found in Matthew 11:28 to give rest to the heavy laden.

[1] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Heaven, Hell, & the Glory of God

2010-07-28T12:32:00.012-04:00

I recently preached a sermon entitlled, "Hell, Adding Dimension to Hope," from 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 as part of our current sermon series, "Unwrapping Hope." The premise of the message was that just as the study of heaven helps Christians to better understand the hope that God has given them in salvation, the study of hell adds greater dimension to a Christian's understanding of hope.

I would like to take a moment to expound on a concept that I was only able to briefly touch on in my sermon. The connection of God's glory and hell. Within pop culture, hell is viewed as Satan's hangout spot. Within much of western Christendom, hell is overtly or inadvertently diminished by treating the subject with silence. Contrary to these two views, the Bible clearly teaches that hell is a real place that demonstrates God's glory.

God created heaven so that His unveiled glory could be demonstrated to believers. The awe of heaven will not be so much the beauty of heaven itself, (although the beauty will be beyond anything our finite minds can imagine), but the reality that one will be able to bask in the presence of God's unveiled glory. Simply put, God's glory is demonstrated through heaven by the fact that He can redeem sinners and make them holy so that they can experience His unveiled glory.

God created hell to punish sin with eternal righteous punishment. So then how does this reflect God's glory? Well, whenever we sin it is an attack on God's glory. God's response to this attack on his glory by punishing the offender is a demonstration of both His glory and the infinite value of His glory. This does not mean that God delights in a sinner suffering, but instead demonstrates that the infinite value of God's glory, His justice, and righteousness demand the ultimate penalty for sin be eternal punishment in hell. This is how John 3:17, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him," fits with 2 Thessalonians 1:7b-8, "When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might."

Both the beauty of God's redemption and horror of God's judgment equally demonstrate His glory.

Praise God that he sent His Son to pay the penalty for sin by being an atoning sacrifice so that one might someday stand in the presence of God's unveiled glory.

Intellectual Honesty, Questioning God, & David Bazan

2009-11-25T17:52:00.004-05:00

I enjoy music, the arts, and film, all of which demonstrate the creativity God has bestowed upon humanity. I recently picked up a new album by David Bazan, the front man for the now defunct indie rock band Pedro the Lion. I was a big fan of Pedro the Lion and enjoyed their creativity, intellectual honesty, and spirituality, so was quite excited to find that Bazan had put out a new album.

As I listened to the album I noticed a shift in Bazan’s worldview. I applaud Bazan’s authentic and frank discussions about his doubts of God, the Scriptures, and original sin; however when his questioning turned him into his own genius peppered with cynicism rather than coming back to a faith in God, I was quite disappointed.

Is it wrong to question or doubt God? The book of Job and much of the Psalms record people questioning God, his goodness, his power, and what He does. Questions are good, because God desires people who process and think. The problem is when one’s question turns them into their own genius and they begin to set the parameters for their own reality. This was exemplified in the fall of Adam and Eve. Was it wrong for Adam and Eve to question God?...Probably not. What was wrong however was when the questions turned Adam and Eve into their own genius and they placed their intellect above God.

Each of us experience times of questioning God. For me this has happened both at an intellectual level as I tried to wrap my mind around what I believed to be truth as well as, at an emotional level when my soul had been hurt. The important question is, “What do we do during seasons of doubt in our life?” The answer to this question is in Job 40:8 and 42:1-6. Job 40:8-9 records God’s response to Job after Job has questioned Him and states, “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?” God was saying, “Man-up and instruct me…condemn me so that you can justify your own genius.” God then gives Job a demonstration of his power. Job responds in 42:1-6 with repentance and confession to the majesty of God.

Just as with Job, may our doubts and questions towards God conclude in the arms of God.

Worship

2009-08-25T10:15:00.007-04:00

Some of my greatest joys and most challenging moments stem from interaction with my daughters, Selah (3 ½ yrs.) and Kaiyah (2 yrs.). As a new parent I am continually trying to mold (otherwise known as con) my girls to do the right thing for the right motives. Through this process I am beginning to uncover what every veteran parent knows; it is much more challenging to help kids obey with the right motive than to just merely obey.

The book of Hosea records how God dealt with this same issues as He interacted with the children of Israel. The theme of this book is God’s loyal covenantal love for His people despite their unfaithfulness. Hosea 6:6 reads,

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather
than burnt offerings.”

God’s people had failed to understand His true desire for them. Instead of steadfast love and knowledge for God they brought him sacrifices and burnt offerings. So why did God want steadfast love? Had He not commanded them to bring sacrifices and burnt offerings? Yes, however the sacrifices were not an end in themselves. Instead, the purpose of the sacrifice was an outward demonstration of inner allegiance and love that their covenant with God demanded. The Hebrew word translated steadfast love in this verse is, hesed, which is the same word used throughout the Old Testament to describes God’s loyal covenantal love towards his people. God desired that they not only be obedient to His commands, but that their heart/motivation driving their obedience be right. Even though the Israelites continued the motions of worshiping God, their heart for God was nonexistent. This made the sacrifices and burnt offerings meaningless and offensive (Isaiah 1:11-20).

It is easy to get wrapped up into the motions of, “doing church”. Sometimes I have to step back and ask myself, “What is the driving force of my worship to God?” When we understand that our worship towards God should be an authentic response to His work within us, great freedom emerges. The driving force of our worship and obedience towards God becomes driven by love. May we not enter into worship with the wrong motives so as to relegate it to meaningless ritual, but instead may we live out the words of Hebrews 12:28-29, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Forgiveness: Life in a Dysfunctional Family Part 6 -Genesis 42 & 43

2009-04-25T15:52:00.005-04:00

There are times in life where it can seem that nothing would be sweeter than revenge. In Genesis 42 Joseph had the perfect opportunity to exact revenge on his brothers who he runs into when they came to Egypt to purchase food. Joseph, who is not recognized by his brothers, has supreme authority under Egypt’s Pharaoh and could easily have taken revenge on his brothers for selling him into slavery twenty years earlier. In an act of forgiveness however, Joseph forgoes the opportunity for revenge.

Although Joseph forgives his brothers, he chooses to not make himself known for the purpose of testing them to determine if they had changed. Joseph understood an important precept that although forgiveness is an obligation, trust should always be earned.

Passages like Ephesians 4:32 clearly teach that forgiveness is to be given freely even to those that are undeserving. Much like God forgave us while we were His enemies. This however does not mean that one should be just as quick to extend the hand of trust. People often take trust and forgiveness to be synonymous. They believe that forgiving someone also means fully restoring trust. Trust must be earned.

Remember the next time you are hurt to quickly offer forgiveness in an effort to demonstrate God’s own forgiveness in your life while allowing your trust to be earned over time.

God's Call: Life in a Dysfunctional Family Part 5 -Genesis 41

2009-04-25T12:53:00.006-04:00

How do you view your future? When you think about what you want to accomplish and were you want to go, is God the driving force behind these aspirations, a bargaining partner, or an afterthought?

In Genesis 41:1-49, Joseph realizes that God had allowed the previous thirteen years of hardship to prepare him for an important task. In retrospect each hardship had brought Joseph closer to Pharaoh’s court where he was ultimately used to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and devise a plan to save all of humanity from starvation. Joseph’s consistency and faithfulness to God was an integral part of fulfilling God’s call for his life.

If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, like Joseph, God has a special call for you. So how does one fulfill God’s call for their life? It begins with readiness and faithfulness. Joseph’s life exemplifies this truth as he spent thirteen years consistently loving and serving God in spite of tough circumstances.

What are you currently doing to be ready for God’s call?

Death by Love & Resurrection by Deity

2009-04-12T18:43:00.008-04:00

What would you answer to the question, “What is the most important truth?”

This Easter, I preached from I Corinthians 15:1-11. In this passage (15:3) Paul states the Gospel as being, “of first importance”. The Gospel being that Jesus Christ, the sinless and eternal God-man, bore the just wrath of God the Father towards sin. Not only did Jesus die for our sins but He was buried and victoriously crushed sin and death with His resurrection on the third day.

Why is the Gospel the most important truth one can know?…Because no other truth has greater bearing on humanity. Belief in no other truth can bring about the forgiveness of sins, redemption, and communion with God.

Have you received and stood on this truth? If so, are you living like you’ve been redeemed? Mark Driscoll’s, Death By Love, lists what Jesus Christ has redeemed each person, who has put their faith in the Gospel, from.

-Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law to live ransformed lives by the power of God the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:13).

-Jesus has redeemed us from Satan and demons to a new life made possible by the forgiveness of all our sins (Colossians 1:13-14).

-Jesus has redeemed us from our sinful flesh to live a new life of freedom by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:6-12).

-Jesus has redeemed us from being dead to God and alive to sin to
being dead to sin and alive to God (Galatians 6:14-15).

-Jesus has provided us eternal communion with God (John 3:16).

-Jesus gives us the promise of His return (Titus 2:11-13).

Are you living like you have been redeemed?

Waiting: Tales From a Dysfunctinal Family Part 4 -Genesis 40

2009-04-12T18:42:00.002-04:00

Waiting

Prosperity: Tales From A Dysfunctional Family Part 3 -Genesis 39

2009-03-28T19:25:00.018-04:00

This picture represents a popular and inaccurate view of God and prosperity. To many people, the purpose of God is to make their life prosperous and comfortable. God is the one that gives them the health, wealth, and prosperity they, "deserve." Although I don't hold to this faulty view of God and prosperity, my own view of prosperity was challenged after studying Genesis 39 in preparation for teaching it at Trek.

There are two distinct times in Genesis 39 that the narrator clearly states God has chosen to prosper Joseph. The first is found in 39:2 following Joseph’s enslavement and the second is found in 39:23 following Joseph’s imprisonment. Even an unrealistically optimistic person would view their life as not “prosperous” if they found their feet in Joseph’s sandals.

Not only would one feel deprived in Joseph’s sandals, they would be frustrated with God. Yet, after being sold to Potiphar as a slave, Joseph had a good attitude and worked hard. With God’s blessing Joseph was given the responsibility of overseeing Potiphar’s household. Joseph’s tuff life becomes even more challenging after he turns down multiple sexual advances by Potiphar’s wife and finds himself being falsely accused of rape and sent to prison. Joseph’s life seems to shout everything but “prosperous.”

What if God’s definition of a prosperous life is not marked by comfort, but instead denoted by one’s closeness with God? A close examination of 39:2 & 23, which speak of Joseph’s prosperity, reveal a connection between Joseph’s prosperity and Joseph’s closeness to God. This reminds me of the words of Paul found in Philippians 3:8-11.

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Redemption: Tales From A Dysfunctional Family Part 2 -Genesis 38

2009-03-24T13:50:00.015-04:00

Redemption is a theme that echoes deep within every human being. I recently viewed a movie in which the character that does the most despicable act within the storyline ultimately does the most heroic deed. I was left to ponder whether the character’s great act of heroism was enough to redeem him of the evil act previously committed.

This evening I taught Genesis 38, which is part of an expositional series I am teaching on the Joseph Narrative (Genesis 37:1-47:26). Genesis 38 is a passage that clearly demonstrates God’s power of redemption.

The main character in Genesis 38 is Joseph’s older brother Judah. In Genesis 37 it had been Judah’s idea to sell Joseph into slavery. If Genesis 38 where made into a movie, Judah would be labeled the, “bad guy.”

Genesis 38 begins with Judah getting married and having three sons. His oldest son, Er, marries Tamar. Er was so evil that shortly after the marriage, God kills him. Judah’s second son, Onan, marries Tamar to fulfill the obligation of levirate marriage. Shortly after the marriage God also kills Onan because he deals immaturely with Tamar (i.e. wanted sex without the responsibility of caring for her). Once Judah sees his two oldest sons die, he is afraid to let his youngest son marry Tamar. Therefore he deals treacherously with Tamar by choosing to not fulfill his obligation of giving his final son to her for marriage as required by the custom of levirate marriage. If Tamar was not able to marry Judah’s youngest son, she had little chance of finding someone else to marry her. This would mean that she would have to provide for herself in an agrarian culture where her only means of provision would be begging or prostitution. The story continues a number of years later with Judah going up with his buddy Hira to Timnah for the sheep shearing. On his way to Timnah he sleeps with a prostitute. Little does he know that the prostitute is no prostitute at all, but instead his daughter-in-law Tamar. Three months later Judah is pleasantly surprised, when he gets word that Tamar is pregnant through prostitution, not realizing that this was his own child she was carrying. He is the first to call for her death, not because of his righteousness but because this would free him from the obligation of giving his final son to her for marriage as required by the custom of levirate marriage. At this point within the story the reader can’t wait for God to strike Judah, the bad guy, dead as He had previously done with Judah’s two oldest sons. The story continues as Tamar brings forth the evidence as to who the, “baby’s daddy,” is. To the reader’s surprise, rather than God striking Judah down, he is given the opportunity of redemption. Judah responds with remorse as he states, “She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah for marriage.” Unlike the film I previously spoke about, which leaves the audience guessing whether the bad character’s heroism is enough to bring about his redemption, God leaves no question as to whether Judah, the guy who sold his own brother into slavery and dealt treacherously with his daughter-in-law, is redeemed. God’s love and preservation in the midst of craziness is made abundantly clear through this story. For in the New Testament we find that it is through the line of Judah that God chooses to become flesh through. Through Judah’s line Jesus Christ comes to earth bringing about the ultimate redemption of mankind through His sinless life, death on the cross in our place, burial, and resurrection.

Where Does Jesus Want To Fit Into My Life?

2009-03-13T10:29:00.003-04:00

“Where does Jesus want to fit into my life?” This is the question that will be discussed at the Gathering on Sunday. This question has a couple of problems. First it infers that one might have a compartment within life where Jesus is to be…almost suggesting that in my graciousness I find room with in my important busy life to fit Jesus. The second problem with the question is the term, “my” which denotes personal possession of one’s life.

The real question is where do look for meaning in life, how do you try to fulfill that meaning, and does that meaning fill the emptiness within the depths of your soul. To give an example, one might choose to find meaning in a relationship. They go about fulfilling that meaning by making decisions that will always place that relationship at the top of the priority list (in other words they worship that relationship). All is great until the relationship lets you down, you screw the relationship up, or it doesn’t excite you like it used to. Then you are left with a deeper loneliness and emptiness than before the relationship as you realize that your investment of time, energy, and resources were all for naught.

The right question to ask is not, “Where should Jesus fit into my life,” but instead, “Why should Jesus be the meaning of my life?”

Beginnings

2009-02-03T23:20:00.001-05:00

So here I am blogging for the first time…on the cutting edge of technology…at this rate, in five years I might get texting added to my mobile plan. I have taken up blogging at the urge of Amanda, my wife, as a way in which to open a window into my spiritual journey and encourage others in their spiritual journey.

In one sense blogging seems dangerous as anybody can express their raw emotions and thoughts to the world unbridled by the screen of an editor or publisher, yet on the other hand it is refreshing to be given the platform to share one’s thoughts to so many. I welcome your comments on the content of this blog and hope that it challenges you to think outside your box and prods you to grow into an authentic life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.